2023 Conference

This session will focus on specific types and stages of clinical research to increase the evidence base for oncology acupuncture. In addition to presenting new data, this symposium will provide a better understanding of the spectrum of study approaches and their methodological features (e.g. choice of controls, types of acupuncture interventions, phases of clinical trials, efficacy trials, pragmatic trials, and implementation science studies) and how they can inform each other. Each presentation will provide new study results and discuss specific methodological aspects. Dr. Ting Bao will focus on phase I, II, and III efficacy studies of acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Jun Mao will present on comparative
effectiveness trials of acupuncture for insomnia and pain in cancer. Dr. Suzie Zick will outline the upcoming ASCO/SIO clinical practice guideline on pain that includes recommendations on acupuncture. Dr. Claudia Witt will present an implementation research study that uses recommendations from a clinical practice guideline and develops a self-acupressure online training that will loop its results back in a comparative effectiveness trial. Panel discussion: Desiree Walker, patient advocate, and Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, medical oncologist, past president of the American College of Physicians, and national leader in health equity, will discuss the importance of rigorous clinical research to support evidence based practice and patient-centered care for equitable clinical practice in diverse populations.