Men and Non-Pregnant Women, age 18 or older who have completed radiotherapy for head and neck cancer needed for a research study.

IRB-HSR# 13990
Service: Cancer | Category: Cancer (Oncology)
Adult Enrollment: Yes | Minor Enrollment: No
Primary Investigator: Paul Read, M.D.

Contact Information

Contact: Katie L. Sullivan
Phone: 434.243.7231
E-mail: kls8d@virginia.edu

Clinical Trial Description

UVA Health System, Department of Radiation Oncology seeks men and non-pregnant women, age 18 or older, who have completed radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and who are suffering from severe dry mouth, for a research study.

The purpose of this study is to find out what effects, good and/or bed ALTENS therapy (Acupuncture-Like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) has on patients treated for head and neck cancer and dry mouth. ALTENS therapy is like acupuncture treatment, but the acupuncture points are stimulated with mild electrical stimulation without the use of needles. Currently, ALTENS therapy is not a standard treatment for radiation-induced dry mouth and is considered investigational. The ALTENS therapy will be given with a machine called a Codetron®. Although this machine has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of dry mouth, it has been approved by the FDA for managing certain types of pain.