Cancer-Focused Research

Current cancer-focused research projects

A clinical trial in Acupuncture for cancer-related pain

The Centre is currently looking for individuals diagnosed with cancer-related pain to take part in our clinical trial. This study investigates whether acupuncture can help the management of cancer-related pain. Results from various global clinical trials suggest a promising impact on cancer-related pain relief. 

Potential participants will be recruited from Cancer Wellness Centre, Liverpool Hospital and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Campbelltown Hospital.

Who can join?

  • Men and women 18 years old and older.
  • Participants who have been diagnosed with cancer-related pain, provided by an oncologist of Liverpool hospital, regardless of the cancer type, stage or the presence of metastasis.
  • Included types of pain: somatic nociceptive pain, visceral nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain and mixed types of pain.
  • Participants with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score > 3.
  • Participants willing and able to give consent.

What's involved?

This study is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned into the acupuncture study intervention group or wait list control group. The wait list control group serves as an untreated comparison group during the study, but eventually goes on to receive the intervention after waiting 4 weeks. Participants receive the intervention twice a week for 4 weeks, a total of 8 interventions. After completing the last intervention session, participants will complete a 4-week follow-up, a total of 12 weeks is the trial period.

Interested in participating?

For further information, please contact our researcher on 0458 135 714 or email ChineseMedicine@westernsydney.edu.au

Guo Lin mind-body exercise for quality of life in patients with cancer

This study employs a mixed-method approach, combining a randomised controlled trial and semi-structured interviews, to investigate the feasibility and effects of Guolin Qigong (GQ) on cancer-related fatigue and its associated symptoms in breast, lung, and colorectal cancer survivors. A total of 60 participants are recruited and divided into two study groups in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group undergoes a 12-week GQ intervention, followed by a four-week follow-up period (Week 16), while the control group receives usual care on a waitlist. Semi-structured interviews, based on purposive sampling, are conducted at the end of Week 16 for each cohort. This trial has closed for recruitment.

For further information, please contact our researcher on 0458 135 714 or email ChineseMedicine@westernsydney.edu.au

Baduanjing Mind-body exercise for cancer-related fatigue: a feasibility study

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is commonly reported among individuals living with a cancer diagnosis. Baduanjin, the most widely practiced mind-body exercise in China, holds promise for mitigating fatigue. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely delivered (via Zoom software) Baduanjin mind-body exercise program through a randomized controlled trial. The program targets participants diagnosed with any type and stage of cancer, currently undergoing or having completed chemotherapy, and experiencing CRF. The protocol has been published in "Baduanjin Mind-Body Exercise for Cancer-Related Fatigue: Protocol for a Remotely Delivered Randomized Wait-List Controlled Feasibility Study"

Developing an evidence-based expert consensus statement for building protocol content of clinical trials in TCM modalities for integrative cancer care

This study aims to develop an evidence-based expert consensus statement for establishing protocol content in clinical trials involving Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modalities for integrative cancer care. It involves two online surveys: the first identifies key and essential elements for TCM intervention protocols in cancer care, while the second focuses on refining the consensus from the first survey. The content and direction of the second survey are informed by the initial survey's results. The study intends to provide valuable guidance to investigators in designing high-quality clinical trials in the field of TCM for cancer care. Relevant results have been published in "Are Published Cancer Care Trial Protocols with Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions Concordant with SPIRIT-TCM Extension 2018? A Scoping Review on Published Trial Protocols Between 2019 and 2022"