Abstract
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical therapeutic effect and safety on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) after chemotherapy treated with the reinforcing technique of acupuncture at Qìhăi (气海 CV6), Guānyuán (关元 CV4) and bilateral Zúsānlĭ (足三里 ST36) in the patients with colorectal cancer. MethodsA total of 61 cases of CRF after chemotherapy for colorectal cancer were included in the trial and randomized into a control group (30 cases) and an observation group (31 cases). The patients of the two groups all accepted the regular chemotherapy. Each duration of chemotherapy was 3 weeks. In the observation group, 8 treatments with acupuncture were combined before chemotherapy and from the day 1 to 3 of chemotherapy separately, once daily, 30 min in each time, for two courses totally. Acupoints included bilateral ST36, CV6 and CV4. Separately, 1 day before the first cycle of chemotherapy, 1 day before the second cycle of chemotherapy and in 3 weeks after the second cycle of chemotherapy, the score of Piper fatigue scale (PFS) and the score of the scale for quality of life (QOL) were adopted to evaluate the improvement degree of cancer-related fatigue. ResultsRegarding PFS score, in 3-week followup after acupuncture treatment, compared with the control group, the mean value of the score of perception dimension was reduced obviously in the acupuncture treatment group, indicating the significant difference (p < 0.05). Compared with the values before treatment, after acupuncture, the mean values of the scores in behavior dimension, affection dimension, perception dimension, cognition dimension and the overall score were all reduced obviously, indicating the significant differences in the treatment group (all p < 0.05). But the differences were not significant in the control group in the mean values of the scores in behavior dimension, affection dimension, perception dimension and cognition dimension as well as in the overall score (all p > 0.05). Regarding the score of QOL scale, compared with the control group, in the treatment group, the mean value of physical function score was increased significantly (p < 0.05) and the mean values of the scores for overall health, fatigue and dyspnea were all reduced significantly, indicating the statistical differences (all p < 0.05). Compared with the values before treatment, after treatment, the mean values of the scores for physical function, role function and social function, as well as the scores of overall health, fatigue and dyspnea were all different significantly in the treatment group (all p < 0.05). But the mean values of the scores for each item as well as for overall health, fatigue and dyspnea were not different significantly in the control group (all p > 0.05). ConclusionIn terms of the evaluation with PFS, acupuncture alleviates fatigue degree to the mild from the moderate in the patients with CRF, especially brings a positive effect on perception dimension, meaning the improvement of mental state. Regarding the evaluation of QOL scale, acupuncture improves overall health and physical function and alleviates fatigue and dyspnea. Acupuncture therapy has no obvious toxic side effect and achieves the definite therapeutic effect.
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