Effect of Acupuncture in Pain Management of Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy: Prospective Randomized Unicentric Study.

Radana Dymackova,Marek Slavik,Ondrej Slama,Michaela Svajdova,Iveta Selingerova,Tomas Kazda,Jana Halamkova,Pavel Slampa

doi:10.3390/jcm10051111

Abstract

This prospective randomized open-label trial aimed to evaluate the role of acupuncture in the treatment of pain related to curative and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Patients in two arms (30 patients in each arm) underwent standard oncology therapy and standard supportive care with or without acupuncture. The stratification factors were the type of treatment and chemotherapy indication. The toxicity assessed was represented by pain rated on a 10-point pain scale and analgesic use. Average pain (AP) and the worst pain during the day (WP) were significantly lower in the acupuncture arm during radiotherapy (AP median 0.16 vs. 1.36, p < 0.001; WP median 0.90 vs. 1.96, p < 0.001) and three months after radiotherapy (AP median 0.07 vs. 0.50, p < 0.001; WP median 0.30 vs. 0.83, p = 0.002). The analgesic consumption between arms was statistically significantly different. A median of the proportion of days when the patients used analgesics was 8% and 32.5% during radiotherapy (p = 0.047) and 0% and 20.8% during three months after radiotherapy (p = 0.006) for the acupuncture and control arm, respectively. Results point out lower analgesic consumption and milder pain in acupuncture arm. Acupuncture consequently offers another alternative to standard treatment leading to a reduction in the toxicity of oncological treatment.

Highlights

The treatment of head and neck cancer is very challenging
The main methods used in curative therapy of head and neck cancer include surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy [1,2,3]
Using acupuncture in the therapy of side effects in oncologic treatment is currently not aUsing standard in the Czech foreign studies report that patients can acupuncture in the therapyHowever, of side effects in oncologic treatment is currently benefit from acupuncture applied during oncologic therapy

Summary

Introduction

The main methods used in curative therapy of head and neck cancer include surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy [1,2,3]. Radiotherapy (RT) is offered as a curative method for inoperable diseases or if surgery is not indicated as well as an adjuvant method after surgery in patients with high-risk factors of local recurrence [4]. Oncologic therapies of these patients are often accompanied by both acute and chronic adverse effects. The main acute adverse effects include radiodermatitis and radiostomatitis, xerostomia, loss of taste, and pain and nausea. The adverse effects may become chronic, the loss of saliva and taste, as well as cutaneous and mucosal toxicity and pain

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Conclusion