Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Patch Application at the Shenque (RN8) Acupoint in Cancer Patients Scheduled to Undergo Radiotherapy: A Study on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Heart Rate Variability

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine patch application at the Shenque (RN8) acupoint on cancer-related fatigue in adult cancer patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a traditional Chinese medicine patch or a sham patch at the same acupoint. The intervention will be applied once daily for 2 hours, 7 days per week, for 2 consecutive weeks, for a total of 14 sessions. Fatigue severity, quality of life, heart rate variability, complete blood count, and skin safety will be assessed before and after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 20 years or older. * Patients diagnosed with cancer by a physician. * Patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy. * Patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue and have a fatigue scale score of 4 or higher. * Patients who are willing and able to provide written informed consent after receiving an explanation of the study procedures and possible risks. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are not suitable for traditional Chinese medicine patch application, including those with wounds or skin lesions at the acupoint application site. * Patients who are unwilling to sign the informed consent form. * Minors, pregnant women, patients with psychiatric disorders, or vulnerable populations. * Patients with diseases that may affect heart rate variability. * Patients who have received astragalus polysaccharide injection within 1 month before the start of the study. * Patients who have used Chinese herbal medicine within 1 month before the start of the study.