Patients with cancer often experience appetite loss and weight loss unintentionally. Rapid weight loss negatively impact on physical functioning, quality of life, and overall survival. Patients will be randomly assigned into two groups. An intervention with acupuncture may slow down or stop the progression of cancer-related anorexia and weight loss.
The purpose of this research study is to investigate if acupuncture helps to improve appetite and slow down unintentional weight loss. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups and receive 8 sessions of acupuncture (two groups will receive different acupuncture points) for 8 weeks. During the study period, participants will be asked various questions about appetite, physical functioning, cancer-related symptoms and quality of life to understand changes related to body weight, as well as blood samples. The research team members will collect data regarding changes in appetite, body weight, body composition, and physical functioning.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
45
Acupuncture-A group will receive acupuncture in a pre-determined set of the acupuncture points.
Acupuncture-B group will receive acupuncture in a pre-determined set of the acupuncture points.
University of Florida Clinical Research Center (CRC)
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Percentage weight change over 8 weeks between two arms
Weight will be measured each visit (pounds).
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
Appetite change between two arms
Three different short survey forms will be used to measure appetite change. Visual analogue scale (0 indicates no appetite and 10 is the best appetite). Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire score (min-max: 4-20 and the higher the better appetite) Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment: 0-1, no intervention is needed. 9 or higher score indicates critical intervention.
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
physical functioning
survey form (min-max: 0-100, increment by 10%- 100% indicates full functioning).
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
body composition
Small, non-invasive device (bioelectrical impedance analysis) like a miniature version of EKG will measure changes in body composition (numeric scale).
Time frame: up to 8 weeks
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