Acupuncture needles may boost blood counts and ease fatigue in cancer patients

NCT ID NCT07044414

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Indonesia University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether manual acupuncture, compared to a sham (fake) version, could improve white blood cell counts and reduce fatigue in 34 head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. Participants received 21 sessions over seven weeks at specific body points. The goal was to see if this gentle therapy could help manage common side effects of cancer treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: manual acupuncture
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help head and neck cancer patients feel less tired and keep their white blood cell counts up during chemoradiation.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed trial with only 34 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and the benefit over sham acupuncture could be small or absent.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer head and neck neoplasm Head and Neck Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEAD AND NECK NEOPLASMS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Universitas Indonesia

Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia

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