Acupuncture needles aim to zap cancer brain fog

NCT ID NCT04007770

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 study tests whether acupuncture can improve memory, focus, and thinking problems (often called 'chemo brain') in people who have had breast, colorectal, prostate, or gynecological cancer. About 48 participants will receive either real acupuncture or sham (fake) acupuncture over 10 weeks. The study measures how much their thinking difficulties change using a standard questionnaire.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
acupuncture
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a drug-free way to help cancer survivors think more clearly and feel less foggy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 48 people. The sham acupuncture group may also improve, making it hard to tell if real acupuncture is truly better.

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.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge

    Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen

    Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

    New York, New York, 10065, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack

    Commack, New York, 11725, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth

    Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau

    Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States

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