Acupuncture may be a useful adjunctive treatment for reducing fatigue in palliative cancer care, report Chinese investigators. They performed a randomised pilot trial on 28 lung cancer patients presenting with cancer-related fatigue (CRF) who were randomly assigned to receive verum acupuncture (bilateral Hegu L.I.-4, Qihai REN-6, Zusanli ST-36, Taichong KID-3 and Sanyinjiao SP-6) or placebo acupuncture (using a non-penetrating placebo needle at the same points), twice per week for four weeks. A significant reduction in fatigue scores was observed after two weeks of treatment in the participants who received verum acupuncture compared with those receiving the placebo treatment. At week...Weiterlesen

Quelle (10 JUNE 2013): http://www.healthcmi.com A groundbreaking new study concludes that acupuncture treatments correlate to improvements in symptoms experienced by lung cancer patients. The study notes that lung cancer patients experience pain, depression, anxiety, nausea and a lack of well-being associated with either the disease or cancer treatments. The researchers discovered that a minimum of six acupuncture treatments was required to exert a 70% chance of a “clinically important improvement in well-being.” The study demonstrated that acupuncture treatments improved symptoms including pain, appetite loss, nausea, anxiety and an overall feeling of well-being. The researchers note that there is a clinically...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Purpose: Acupuncture has been used as a complementary medical treatment for arthralgia and other types of pain. The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of arthralgia in patients with breast cancer who were treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Methods: A literature search was performed, without language restrictions, of 10 databases from their inception through February 2014. The literature reviewed included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and clinical trials that compared real versus sham acupuncture for the treatment of AI-related musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS). The methodologic quality of these trials was assessed by using...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture in association with enhanced self-care is an effective integrative intervention for managing hot flushes and improving quality of life in women with breast cancer, according to Italian researchers. A pragmatic, randomised controlled trial compared acupuncture plus enhanced self-care versus enhanced self-care alone in 190 women with breast cancer. Both groups received a booklet with information about climacteric syndrome and its management, to be followed for at least 12 weeks. In addition, the acupuncture group received 10 l acupuncture treatment sessions. Evaluation of tongue and pulse was performed at each session and acupuncture was performed at three common acupoints (Sanyinjiao...Weiterlesen

A UK group has found acupuncture alone or in combination with morphine to be effective for the relief of breathlessness in lung cancer patients. The investigators randomised 173 patients with lung cancer and dyspnoea to an acupuncture group (A), a morphine group (M) or an acupuncture plus morphine group (AM). Acupuncture was administered at thoracic trigger points (upper sternal, paravertebral and trapezius) and Hegu L.I.-4. Semi-permanent manubrial acupuncture studs were also inserted and massaged when patients were symptomatic. All patients were allowed rescue morphine for breakthrough pain. Dyspnoea scores improved by more than 1.5 on a visual analogue scale in...Weiterlesen

Quelle (24 JULY 2015): http://www.healthcmi.com Researchers find acupuncture effective for alleviating chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for patients with colon cancer. Neurotoxicity from chemotherapy may damage nerve fibers and lead to symptoms including pain, burning sensations, tingling, muscle weakness, balance disorders, paresthesia, dysesthesia, cold or heat sensitivity in the hands and feet, and a “glove and stocking” distribution of symptoms. The paresthesia is often experienced as a bilateral pins and needles sensation. Severity ranges from mild to debilitating. The researchers summarize their findings into three main benefits of acupuncture for patients with CIPN: Acupuncture administered prior to chemotherapy prevents CIPN. Use...Weiterlesen