Can acupuncture ease breast cancer pain? new trial investigates
NCT ID NCT02754752
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether electroacupuncture can reduce chronic pain in women who have completed treatment for stage I-III breast cancer. 111 participants will receive either real acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or no treatment. The goal is to see if this gentle needle therapy can lower pain scores and improve quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- electroacupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a drug-free option for managing long-term pain after breast cancer surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with only 111 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The sham acupuncture group also limits how much benefit is truly from the needles.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for STAGE I BREAST CANCER AJCC V7 are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a triple drug combo shrink HER2-Positive breast tumors before surgery?
- Gene test could guide breast cancer treatment to boost survival
- Could a gentler chemo work for older breast cancer patients?
- Vaccine aims to block return of aggressive breast cancer
- Genetic clues in blood and tumors could personalize breast cancer care
- New combo shows promise for aggressive breast cancer