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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04318808

Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Constipation in Patients With Advanced Cancer

Constipation is one of the most common complications in patients with advanced cancer.

The aim of this protocol designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial is to investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture (LA) therapy on constipation in patients with advanced cancer.

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Key information

Conditions

Constipation Advanced Cancer Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 20 years or older
  • Principal diagnosis of advanced cancer
  • Diagnosis of constipation
  • Treat with laxatives for at least 1 week but still have symptoms of constipation

Exclusion criteria

  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Disturbance of consciousness
  • Active gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Active intraabdominal infection
  • Local skin infection on the acupoints or limb amputees.

Treatment and study plan

laser acupuncture

Procedure

Laser acupuncture is a non-invasive therapy that involves stimulation of traditional acupoints with low-intensity, non-thermal laser irradiation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM)

    Time frame: 1 week

    CSBM is defined as an spontaneous bowel movements associated with a sensation of complete evacuation. The number of CSBM within one week will be recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Comfort levels during defecation

    Time frame: 1 week

    Estimated using a 10-cm visual analogue scale with anchor points of 0 (no discomfort) and 10 (maximum discomfort).

  2. Symptoms of constipation

    Time frame: 1 week

    A five-symptoms questionnaire for measuring the severity of constipation including straining during defecation, abdominal pain during defecation, hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage. Each item is rated on a four point Likert scale that ranges from severe symptom (4 points) to no symptom (1 point).

  3. Colonic motility

    Time frame: 1 week

    Measured by auscultation of the lower right abdomen with a stethoscope.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Constipation in Patients With Advanced Cancer: a Prospective Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 24, 2020
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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