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PCORI

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

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    PCORI 2021 and Beyond

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  • Research & Results
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  • Comparing Non-Medicine Pain Managemen...

Comparing Non-Medicine Pain Management Therapies for Adults with Advanced Cancer -- The IMPACT Trial

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Project Summary  

PCORI has identified relief of symptoms that patients with advanced illness often experience as an important research topic. Patients, clinicians, and others want to learn how different treatment strategies affect pain, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, and other common symptoms. To address this issue, PCORI launched an initiative in 2017 on Symptom Management for Patients with Advanced Illness. The initiative funded this research project.

This research project is in progress. PCORI will post the research findings on this page within 90 days after the results are final.

What is the research about?

Pain is one of the most common and upsetting symptoms for patients living with advanced cancer. Pain can disrupt sleep and lead to fatigue and decreased quality of life. Doctors often prescribe opioids to manage pain. But these medicines can have side effects such as constipation, dizziness, and increased risk for falls. Non-medicine pain management treatments, such as acupuncture and massage, can be used along with standard medical treatment, including opioids, to treat pain in cancer patients. But patients and doctors may find it hard to decide which treatment approach will best manage their pain and related symptoms.

This study is comparing two ways to manage pain in adults with advanced cancer:

  • Acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into different parts of the body
  • Massage, which involves using hands to work muscles and other soft tissues

Who can this research help?

Patients with advanced cancer and their doctors can use these findings when considering ways to manage pain and related symptoms.

What is the research team doing?

The research team is enrolling 300 adults with advanced cancer in New York and New Jersey. These patients have had pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones for at least one month and moderate to severe pain for at least one week. The team is assigning patients by chance to receive acupuncture or massage in addition to their current pain management treatment.

In the first 10 weeks of the study, patients assigned to acupuncture or massage receive up to 10 treatments; for the next 16 weeks, they get treatment once every 4 weeks. All patients are completing surveys on their pain and related symptoms at 10 and 26 weeks.

Patients with advanced cancer and patient advocates are helping to plan and carry out the study.

Research methods at a glance

Design Elements Description
Design Randomized controlled trial
Population Population Adults with advanced cancer and musculoskeletal pain
Interventions/
Comparators
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
Outcomes

Primary: pain

Secondary: fatigue, sleep disturbance, quality of life

Timeframe 26-week follow-up for primary outcome

Project Details

Principal Investigator
Jun Mao, MD, MSCE
Project Status
In progress; Recruiting
Project Title
Integrative Medicine for Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer Trial (IMPACT)
Board Approval Date
April 2019
Project End Date
September 2023
Organization
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Year Awarded
2019
State
New York
Project Type
Research Project
Health Conditions  
Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Lung Cancer
Liver Cancer
Intestinal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Breast Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Skin Cancer
Neurological Disorders
Chronic Pain
Intervention Strategies
Drug Interventions
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Populations
Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Women
Funding Announcement
Symptom Management for Patients with Advanced Illness
Project Budget
$2,780,640
Study Registration Information
HSRP20201488
NCT04095234
Page Last Updated: 
September 28, 2020

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Research & Results

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Meetings & Events

March 2
Cycle 1 2021 PCORnet Phase 3 Applicant Town Hall
March 8
Engagement Awards 2021 Special Cycle -- Applicant Office Hours (One)
March 15
Priorities on the Health Horizon: Informing PCORI's Strategic Plan (Webinar)

PCORI

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Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute

1828 L Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 827-7700 | Fax: (202) 355-9558
[email protected]

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