Combined electrical acupuncture and ear-pressure therapy is being rigorously tested as a potential treatment for chemotherapy-related insomnia in people with breast cancer.
This randomized, sham-controlled trial enrolls people with breast cancer experiencing insomnia during or after chemotherapy. Participants receive either combined electrical acupuncture and ear-pressure therapy or matched sham procedures, with treatments delivered regularly over an initial treatment period followed by maintenance sessions. Participants and outcome assessors are blinded, and sleep severity, objective sleep patterns, sleep diaries, quality of life, mood, pain, fatigue, treatment expectations, credibility, and adverse events are assessed during follow-up.
The study is designed to determine whether active acupuncture produces greater improvements in insomnia than sham treatment while also evaluating practicality and safety. Its broad outcome assessment will clarify whether any sleep benefits are accompanied by improvements in daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, pain, fatigue, and quality of life.
