Magnetic Acupressure in Reducing Pain in Cancer Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Overview

RATIONALE: Acupressure may help relieve pain in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. It is not yet known whether magnetic acupressure is more effective than sham acupressure in reducing pain in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying magnetic acupressure to see how well it works compared with sham acupressure in reducing pain in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: Primary * To compare pain rating in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) treated with magnetic acupressure at bilateral large intestine 4 (LI 4) points vs sham acupressure at bilateral proximal fourth interosseus space of the hand. Secondary * To compare the duration of BMAB, patient's rating of the procedure, and patient's willingness to receive acupressure during subsequent BMABs. OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to the number of prior bone marrow aspirations and biopsies (BMAB) (0-1 vs ≥ 2) and type of procedure (bone marrow aspiration alone vs BMAB). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. * Arm I (acupressure): Patients receive acupressure at bilateral large intestine 4 (LI 4) points using Haci Magnetic Acupressure Suction Cups (MASC) during BMAB. * Arm II (sham acupressure): Patients receive acupressure at bilateral proximal fourth interosseus space of the hand using the same size MASC as in arm I during BMAB. Patients in both arms also receive analgesic and anxiolytic medications as determined by the acupressure operator and physician. Patients complete a questionnaire before and after BMAB to assess pain experienced before and during BMAB and their attitude towards the procedure.