Neoplasms

Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

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Musculoskeletal Diseases

Symptoms and General Pathology

Nervous System Diseases

Breast Neoplasms

Arthralgia

Joint Diseases

Pain

Neurologic Manifestations

All Drugs and Chemicals

Estrogens

Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Aromatase Inhibitors

Estrogen Antagonists

Estrogen Receptor Antagonists

Stainless steel, disposable, sterile needles choosing based on the needs of different body parts (0.22 gauge x 25mm, 0.22 gauge x 40mm, or 0.25 gauge x 100mm) were inserted to acupoints at traditional depths and angles.

The Chinese medicine group used Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction (GZSD) as their medical intervention. The GZSD samples were made and packed by Sun Ten Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a firm that meets the requirements of the good manufacturing practice (GMP) certification in Taiwan. Every 4g of concentrated GZSD was sealed in an isolated paper drug bag.

The combined group would have both acupuncture and Chinese medicine interventions.

The acupuncture group were consisted of twelve 30 minutes sessions 2 times per week sessions for 6 weeks. The acupoints were included full body protocol (LI4, LR3, and PC7) and joint-specific protocol tailored as many as three of the patient's most painful joint areas. After 20 minutes "De Qi" reported by patients, needles were restimulated manually and removed after an additional 10 minutes.

acupuncture

The patients consumed GZSD (4g paper bagged medicine) three times per day (total daily dose was 12 g/day) continuously during the 6-week intervention period.

Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction

I-Ting Lee, Bachelor

I-TING LEE, master

Aromatase inhibitors have been used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer women in menopause, but side effects, such as joint pain, would affect their qualities of life. Chinese herbs or acupuncture provides promising clinical effects and plays an important role on alleviating the side effects of cancer treatment. This clinical trial will evaluate the effect of the acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and the combination of both on joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors among women with early-stage breast cancers.

Reduce estrogen exposure can lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Aromatase inhibitors have been used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer women in menopause for years. It can increase the survival rate and decrease the chance of recurrence. However, many patients suffered from the side effects of medication, including joint pain, is the main reason for decreasing medication adherence and influencing patients' quality of life. Based on previous phase III clinical trial study, acupuncture may relieve aromatase inhibitor associated joint pain, and experts believe that acupuncture could also be considered as an effective adjuvant treatment. Chinese herbs or acupuncture provides promising clinical effects and plays an important role in alleviating the side effects of cancer treatment. Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction has frequently being prescribed to treat joint pain in traditional Chinese medicine practice. The design of this clinical trial will evaluate the effects of the acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and the combination of both on joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors among women with early-stage breast cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety with regards to utilizing acupuncture and Chinese herbs in treating joint pain related to the usage of aromatase inhibitors.

Effect of Acupuncture vs Chinese Medicine vs Combined Therapy on Aromatase Inhibitor-related Arthralgia Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer

a 0- to 10-point scale (0 \[no pain\] to 10 \[pain as bad as you can imagine)

The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) was used to evaluate the worst pain, pain severity, and pain- related interference scores. (0 \[no pain\] to 10 \[pain as bad as you can imagine)

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used in the evaluation of pain (score range, 0-20), stiffness (score range, 0-8), physical function of lower limb (score range, 0-68).

Affections of the Hands (M-SACRAH) was used in the evaluation of pain, stiffness, physical function of upper limb.

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Symptoms (FACT-ES) measured physical and functional well- being and endocrine symptoms (score range, 0-128)

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization	Link
Effect of Acupuncture vs Chinese Medicine vs Combined Therapy on Aromatase Inhibitor-related Arthralgia Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer	NCT05264649	Arthralgia	acupuncture Guizhi-Shaoyao-...	20 Years - 90 Years	Show Chwan Memorial Hospital
Effect of Acupuncture vs Chinese Medicine vs Combined Therapy on Aromatase Inhibitor-related Arthralgia Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer	NCT05264649	Arthralgia	acupuncture Guizhi-Shaoyao-...	20 Years - 90 Years	Show Chwan Memorial Hospital

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for musculoskeletal disorders