Improving Well-Being of Prostate Cancer Survivors Using the NADA Acupuncture Protocol: A Clinical Outcome Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer survivors experience a range of troublesome symptoms related to cancer and its treatments. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) 5-point ear acupuncture protocol to improve the well-being of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-arm, observational, clinical outcome study that used before-and-after measurements. It took place in a National Health Service cancer treatment center in southern England. The subjects were men diagnosed with prostate cancer who were ≥35 years old, without relapse or metastatic disease, ≥6 months post active cancer treatment, experiencing symptoms and/or side-effects of cancer or its treatments. Twenty patients completed eight weekly NADA treatments in small groups of up to 5 patients. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were changes in scores at the end of treatment over baseline for: patient-r...