Effect of electrothermal acupuncture on moderate to severe cancer pain with yin-cold stagnation: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To observe the effectiveness and safety of electrothermal acupuncture therapy for patients of moderate to severe cancer pain with yin-cold stagnation. A total of 60 patients of moderate to severe cancer pain with yin-cold stagnation were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, opioid painkillers (oxycodone hydrochloride prolonged-release tablet or morphine sulfate sustained-release tablet) were taken. On the basis of the control group, electrothermal acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the observation group, 30 min each treatment, once a day for 5 days. Before and after treatment, the scores of pain numerical rating scale (NRS) and Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) were observed in the two groups. The pain remission rate, reduction of opioid painkillers and safety were compared. The variation of NRS scores in the observation group were larger than the control group 3, 5 days into treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The variation of KPS score in the observation group was larger than the control group after treatment (P<0.05). The pain remission rate was 100.0% (30/30) in the observation group, higher than 86.7% (26/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The reduction of opioid painkillers in the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.01). There was no adverse reaction during the treatment in the two groups. On the basis of the conventional western medication for analgesia, electrothermal acupuncture could relieve pain, reduce the dose of opioid painkillers and improve the quality of life in patients of moderate to severe cancer pain with yin-cold stagnation, has a better safety.