# Acupuncture for Chemothrapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment (ACT) Trial

> **NIH NIH R37** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2024 · $602,673

## Abstract

Project Summary
One of the most harmful side effects of chemotherapy is chemotherapy-induced peripheral
neuropathy (CIPN), a common, painful, and disabling side effect of many chemotherapy agents
for which there is no effective treatment. Our pilot phase IIB three-arm trial showed that
acupuncture treatment is associated with reduced CIPN pain and improved tactile threshold
compared to placebo and usual care control. We aim to increase cancer patients' function and
quality of life by identifying effective treatments to alleviate chemotherapy-related toxicities. The
goal of the proposed project is to determine the efficacy of acupuncture in treating CIPN pain
and improving function, as well as to improve sensory nerve recovery in cancer survivors
suffering from moderate to severe CIPN pain. We will conduct a phase III, 250-patient,
randomized, placebo (sham acupuncture)-controlled trial to: 1) determine the efficacy of an
eight-week EA treatment on CIPN symptoms among cancer survivors with moderate to severe
CIPN pain; 2) evaluate the effect of EA vs. SA on small sensory fiber function; and 3) evaluate
whether baseline QST outcomes predict response to EA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10912231
- **Project number:** 7R37CA248563-04
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Ting Bao
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $602,673
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2023-12-01 → 2025-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10912231

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10912231, Acupuncture for Chemothrapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment (ACT) Trial (7R37CA248563-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10912231. Licensed CC0.

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