This study is evaluating whether acupuncture may help reduce hot flashes in men receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer. Hot flashes are a common side effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and may negatively affect sleep, mood, concentration, daily activities, and overall quality of life.
Participants enrolled in this study will receive acupuncture treatment over a defined treatment period. The study will assess changes in hot flash frequency, severity, and quality of life using patient questionnaires and symptom diaries. Participants will complete a daily hot flash diary during selected 7-day assessment periods and quality-of-life questionnaires during study visits.
The primary goal of this study is to determine whether acupuncture may improve hot flash symptoms and related quality of life in men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Patients with history of prostate cancer with currently receiving hormone therapy or had received hormone therapy in the past two years
Hormone therapies may include androgen deprivation therapy ( ADT; e.g., leuprolide, degarelix, or relugolix) or androgen signaling inhibitors (e.g., enzalutamide, apalutamide, or darolutamide) or adrenal steroid synthesis inhibitor (e.g., abiraterone acetate).
Patients may also receive additional treatments such as chemotherapy, radioligand therapy or target therapy in combination with hormone therapy.
Reports hot flashes at least twice per day. Patients may already be taking medications for hot flashes. There is no limit on the number of hot flash medications they can be using.
Patients can't travel for acupuncture
Patients with high bleeding tendency as determined by PI
Crossover
Real Acupuncture
DeviceThe Real Acupuncture is administered at bilateral Large Intestine 4, Kidney 7, Kidney 3, and Gall Bladder 39 points using sterile single-use filiform needles. Needles are inserted approximately 20-25 mm with manipulation to achieve de qi sensation and retained for 30 minutes. Treatments are administered twice weekly for 6 weeks.
Sham Acupuncture
DeviceThe Sham Acupuncture administered at non-acupuncture points bilaterally using sterile single-use filiform needles. Needles are inserted approximately 4-5 mm without manipulation. Needles are retained for 30 minutes. Treatments are administered twice weekly for 6 weeks.
Change in Hot Flash Score
Weekly hot flash score will be calculated from a 7-day hot flash diary. Daily hot flash score is calculated as the number of hot flashes per day multiplied by the maximum severity score for that day. Weekly hot flash score is calculated as the sum of daily hot flash scores over 7 days. The primary outcome is the change in weekly hot flash score from baseline to Week 6.
Change in Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) Score
Change in Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) total score from baseline. The HFRDIS is a validated 10-item patient-reported questionnaire assessing the impact of hot flashes on daily functioning and quality of life. Each item is scored from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater interference from hot flashes.
Proportion of Participants Achieving ≥50% Reduction in Weekly Hot Flash Score
Proportion of participants achieving at least a 50% reduction in weekly hot flash score compared with baseline, based on 7-day hot flash diary assessments.
Change in Mean Daily Hot Flash Frequency
Change in the mean number of daily hot flashes recorded in the 7-day hot flash diary compared with baseline.
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