RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07315672

Acupressure for Cough in Lung Cancer Survivors

Acupressure for Cough in Lung Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Mar 9, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Lung Cancer (Diagnosis)Acupressure Symptom Cluster Coughing

Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of an acupressure intervention in alleviating cough and reducing co-occurring symptoms (dyspnea, cough, and fatigue) in patients with lung cancer. The hypotheses are: 1. Acupressure can alleviate cough in lung cancer survivors; 2. Acupressure can reduce a cough-related symptom cluster (dyspnea-cough-fatigue) experienced by lung cancer survivors; 3. Acupressure can reduce the symptom burden and improve the health-related quality of life and functional capacity of lung cancer survivors experiencing cough. Participants will: Receive acupressure for 8 weeks or receive an education booklet; Keep a diary of their acupressure practice and symptoms; Be assessed at baseline (T0), early intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 8 weeks after the intervention period (T3).

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

be at least 18 years of age;
have a diagnosis of LC at any stage and of any pathological type;
have a cough symptom rating ≥3 on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale within 7 days preceding enrollment;
can perform acupressure independently in daily activities;
be able to read Chinese and communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin;
be able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria5

have unstable chronic diseases other than LC;
have received acupressure or acupuncture within the three months preceding study enrollment;
have serious illnesses or other conditions that prevent the participants from following the intervention protocols;
have a life expectancy of less than 3 months;
Be currently participating in other research programs that may affect the outcomes under investigation.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALacupressure

Participants will perform acupressure for 8 weeks and keep practice records in a diary log. Trainers will follow up with the participants twice weekly via phone or face-to-face to assess and reinforce their practice and address acupressure-related questions.

OTHEREducation

Participants will receive an educational booklet in the first week after the baseline assessment and complete evaluations concurrently with the experimental group. Upon study completion, they will be offered a place on a waitlist for the same acupressure intervention provided to the experimental group.