Needles or kneading? study tests acupuncture vs. massage for advanced cancer pain

NCT ID NCT04095234

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study compares acupuncture and massage to see which is more effective at reducing pain and improving quality of life in people with advanced cancer. About 300 participants will receive either acupuncture or massage over several weeks. The goal is to find a safe, drug-free way to manage cancer pain.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Acupuncture and massage
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that acupuncture or massage is a safe, effective way to manage pain and improve quality of life for people with advanced cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a phase 2 trial, so results are still preliminary. The treatments may not work for everyone, and pain relief might be modest. Also, the study only includes certain cancer types, so findings may not apply broadly.

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 ADVANCED CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer Cancer Pain Tooth, Impacted

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CANCER PAIN

Contacts and locations

Show contact details

Locations

Baptist Alliance MCI

Miami, Florida, 33143, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (All Protocol Activities)

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All Protocol Activities)

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

New York, New York, 10065, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack (All Protocol Activities)

Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All Protocol Activities)

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities)

Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (All Protocol Activities)

Harrison, New York, 10604, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.