Effect of contact needle technique on cancer-related fatigue in palliative care patients: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating symptom in palliative care, with limited effective treatments. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of K-style contact needle technique (CNT), a non-invasive form of traditional Japanese acupuncture, for alleviating CRF.

Methods

In this multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial, 119 patients with stage III or IV cancer and moderate to severe fatigue (≥ 4 on a Numerical Rating Scale [NRS]) were randomized to receive either CNT or sham CNT weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was change in fatigue NRS scores. Secondary outcomes included the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Support Team Assessment Schedule-Japanese version (STAS-J), Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI), Palliative Performance Scale

SUBMITTER: Ogawa-Ochiai K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12920356 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature