Magnetic Acupressure in Reducing Pain in Cancer Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To compare pain rating in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) treated with magnetic acupressure at bilateral large intestine 4 (LI 4) points vs sham acupressure at bilateral proximal fourth interosseus space of the hand.

Secondary

• To compare the duration of BMAB, patient's rating of the procedure, and patient's willingness to receive acupressure during subsequent BMABs.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to the number of prior bone marrow aspirations and biopsies (BMAB) (0-1 vs ≥ 2) and type of procedure (bone marrow aspiration alone vs BMAB). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms.

• Arm I (acupressure): Patients receive acupressure at bilateral large intestine 4 (LI 4) points using Haci Magnetic Acupressure Suction Cups (MASC) during BMAB.
• Arm II (sham acupressure): Patients receive acupressure at bilateral proximal fourth interosseus space of the hand using the same size MASC as in arm I during BMAB.

Patients in both arms also receive analgesic and anxiolytic medications as determined by the acupressure operator and physician.

Patients complete a questionnaire before and after BMAB to assess pain experienced before and during BMAB and their attitude towards the procedure.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of cancer
• Scheduled to undergo a routine bone marrow aspiration with or without biopsy

• No requirement for conscious sedation during the procedure

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior acupuncture or acupressure
• No prior participation in this study