Trial results for a study investigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with gastrointestinal cancers were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-01-21. The study found that adding acupuncture and acupressure to oral cryotherapy resulted in a mean change of 5.9 units in CIPN severity, compared to 9.1 units with cryotherapy alone.
Background
Pancreatic cancer is a severe gastrointestinal malignancy. Patients undergoing chemotherapy for various gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic cancer, often experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), particularly with oxaliplatin-based regimens. CIPN can significantly impact quality of life, causing pain, numbness, and tingling. Current management strategies for CIPN are often limited, highlighting the need for effective interventions. This trial explored non-pharmacological approaches to mitigate CIPN symptoms, such as acupressure, the application of pressure or localized massage to specific body sites, and acupuncture, the technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points.
Trial design
This completed Phase 2 trial enrolled 78 participants with gastrointestinal cancers, including Appendix Carcinoma, Colon Carcinoma, Esophageal Carcinoma, Gastric Carcinoma, and Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct Carcinoma. The study investigated the efficacy of oral cryotherapy plus acupressure and acupuncture (Arm I) versus oral cryotherapy alone (Arm II) for decreasing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy from oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The primary focus was on changes in the severity of CIPN from baseline to 3 months.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements related to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN):
- Change in Severity of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) From Baseline to 3 Months (units on a scale):
- Arm I (Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cryotherapy): mean 5.9, mean 1.9, mean 0.6.
- Arm II (Cryotherapy): mean 9.1, mean 5.7, mean 0.8.
- Number of Participants With Grade 2 or Higher Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (Participants):
- Arm I (Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cryotherapy): 28 participants, 5 participants.
- Arm II (Cryotherapy): 33 participants, 3 participants.
- Severity of CIPN: Neuropen Assessment of Patients' Perceived Pressure (proportion of present responses):
- Arm I (Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cryotherapy): mean -1.0 (Standard Deviation 4.4).
- Arm II (Cryotherapy): mean -0.7 (Standard Deviation 7.3).
What this means
The results suggest that the addition of acupressure and acupuncture to oral cryotherapy may offer further benefits in reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. Specifically, the intervention arm consistently showed smaller mean increases in CIPN severity and a more negative mean change in perceived pressure compared to cryotherapy alone. While the trial did not explicitly list pancreatic cancer among its conditions, these findings are relevant for pancreatic cancer patients who often receive similar chemotherapy regimens and experience CIPN, indicating potential adjunctive strategies to improve their quality of life. Further research may be warranted to confirm these benefits and explore their applicability across the spectrum of gastrointestinal malignancies.
Source
The information for these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT04505553, titled "Oral Cryotherapy Plus Acupressure and Acupuncture Versus Oral Cryotherapy for Decreasing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy From Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer", were posted on 2026-01-21 on clinicaltrials.gov.