Abstract IntroductionBreast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience multiple distressing symptoms. The authors investigated the feasibility and potential benefits of auricular acupuncture during chemotherapy infusion in this population. Materials and MethodsWomen with stage I–III breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy were enrolled and followed for three chemotherapy cycles. During the first cycle of chemotherapy that participants received after study enrollment, they were provided with educational materials. During the second and third cycles of chemotherapy after enrollment, they received auricular acupuncture. The primary outcome was feasibility, assessed by recruitment, retention, and completion of assessments. Secondary outcomes included symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised Version)...Weiterlesen

Abstract ContextPatients with gastric cancer experience health-related quality of life (HRQOL) decline during adjuvant chemotherapy following gastrectomy. ObjectivesThis pilot study aimed to evaluate the preliminary effect and feasibility of electro-acupuncture (EA) for HRQOL and symptom burden in these patients. MethodsIn this open-label, multicenter, parallel controlled trial, gastric cancer patients who planned to receive adjuvant chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive high-dose EA (seven times each chemotherapy cycle for three cycles), low-dose EA (three times each chemotherapy cycle), or usual care only. The acupoints prescription consisted of bilateral ST36, PC6, SP4, and DU20, EX-HN3, and selected Back-shu points. Patients completed the...Weiterlesen

Abstract MethodsWe performed a clinical, single-centre, randomised and controlled pilot study that involved 33 adult patients with cancer and CIPN randomised into two groups (control and acupuncture treated with 10 sessions, two times per week). Both groups were subjected to a complete physical examination and clinical assessment with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) Scale V.2.0, FIM Scale, European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core (EORTC QLQ-C30) Scale and Visual Analogue Scale for pain before and 5 weeks after treatment. ResultsThere were no adverse events, and we found...Weiterlesen

Abstract BackgroundUp to 80% of patients with pancreatic cancer experience abdominal and back pain. Although pharmacologic medications provide some relief, many report inadequate analgesia and adverse effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive physical modality and had been widely applied for pain relieving, yet no study has investigated the effectiveness of TENS for pain in pancreatic cancer. ResultsOne hundred seventy-one patients were recruited (84 to control group and 87 to TENS group). NRS in TENS group has been largely decreased 77.9% right after treatment and 27.1% in 2 hours, before applying any analgesic medication, while that in control...Weiterlesen

Abstract BackgroundCancer-related cognitive impairment is a prevalent, disruptive condition potentially exacerbated by sleep disturbances. The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on objective and subjective cognitive function in cancer survivors with insomnia. MethodsUsing data from a randomized clinical trial (160 survivors) that compared acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia occurring in cancer survivors, the authors analyzed cognitive outcomes and their relationship to insomnia symptoms. Analysis was limited to 99 patients who reported baseline cognitive difficulties. Interventions were delivered over 8 weeks. Objective attention, learning, and memory were evaluated using the...Weiterlesen

Abstract BackgroundCancer pain affects the quality of life of cancer patients; therefore, various methods exist for alleviating the adverse effects caused by cancer pain. Nonpharmacological intervention is regarded as an important means of auxiliary therapy for drug treatment, with acupuncture receiving the most attention; However, there are numerous types of acupuncture therapies, including acupuncture, wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) and auricular acupuncture (AA). Previous studies have demonstrated that all types of acupuncture therapy can alleviate cancer pain. However, the effects and pathways of different acupuncture treatments are not similar, and it is unknown whether single therapy or combination therapy has better analgesic...Weiterlesen

Abstract: BackgroundOver half of patients with advanced cancer report appetite loss or anorexia. Previous studies have shown the benefit of acupuncture for cancer-related nausea and vomiting, but limited evidence exists for its role in appetite improvement. Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of auricular acupuncture to improve appetite for cancer patients with advanced disease. MethodsWe performed a two-arm parallel, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of auricular acupuncture versus usual care control in patients with stage III or IV cancer who experienced appetite loss. The primary outcome was changed in the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ; score range,...Weiterlesen

Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection and its clinical significance. MethodsSixty-four patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (group A) and the TEAS group (group B). Patients in the TEAS group received electroacupuncture stimulation of bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) at 30 min before anesthesia to the end of surgery. The patients in the control group were not given the stimulation. Perioperative anesthesia management of the two groups were performed according to the ERAS guidelines, and postoperative patient-controlled...Weiterlesen

Abstract Chemotherapy causes various side effects, including cognitive impairment, known as ‚chemobrain‘. In this study, we determined whether a novel acupuncture mode called electroacupuncture trigeminal nerve stimulation plus body acupuncture (EA/TNS + BA) could produce better outcomes than minimum acupuncture stimulation (MAS) as controls in treating chemobrain and other symptoms in breast cancer patients. In this assessor- and participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 93 breast cancer patients under or post chemotherapy were randomly assigned to EA/TNS + BA (n = 46) and MAS (n = 47) for 2 sessions per week over 8 weeks. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) served as...Weiterlesen

Autor: Nurhan Doğan, Sultan Taşcı Abstract Context: Dyspnea is the most common symptom of lung cancer. Acupressure is an important application in the management of dyspnea for lung cancer patients. High-powered, well-planned work is needed on the topic.  Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the effects of acupressure on quality of life and dyspnea level for individuals with lung cancer.  Design: The study was a randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial.  Setting: The study took place in the Oncology Day Treatment Unit of a university hospital in Turkey.  Participants: Participants were patients in the unit who were receiving chemotherapy and had experienced dyspnea.  Intervention: Patients were divided into...Weiterlesen