Finger pressure may soothe joint pain in breast cancer patients

NCT ID NCT06228768

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether self-acupressure—using fingers to press on specific points on the body—can reduce joint pain and stiffness caused by aromatase inhibitors, a common hormone therapy for breast cancer. Fifty postmenopausal women with breast cancer learned to do acupressure on themselves for 12 weeks. Researchers measured changes in pain and also looked at effects on other symptoms and gut bacteria.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: self-acupressure (finger pressure on specific body points)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to manage joint pain and stiffness caused by breast cancer hormone therapy.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect may be small or due to the placebo effect.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Arthralgia breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BREAST CANCER POSTMENOPAUSAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

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