Trial Information

Acupuncture for Mucositis Pain in Cancer Care

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. The
practice originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, and is widely used by doctors in
Korea, China, Japan, and other countries to ease pain or various symptoms. In the past two
decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States, and by 2002, an estimated
8.2 million adults in the US report having used acupuncture.

The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical
points on the body by a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most
studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that
are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Acupuncture needles are
metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no
or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while
others feel relaxed.

Acupuncture has been used to ease some cancer treatment-related side effects such as nausea
and vomiting. In this study we will assess the potential usefulness of acupuncture to ease
the pain associated with mucositis.