Manual Acupuncture Improved Quality of Life in Cancer Patients with Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

Item

Title

Manual Acupuncture Improved Quality of Life in Cancer Patients with Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

Author(s)

Journal Publication

Date

2008

volume

14(5)

pages

523-526

Research Type

RCT

Keywords

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: Radiotherapy-induced xerostomia seriously reduces the quality of life (QOL) for patients with head and neck cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of manual acupuncture on objective and subjective assessment of symptom changes in patients with cancer who have with radiation-induced xerostomia. Materials and methods: Twelve (12) patients with radiation-induced xerostomia were randomized into 2 groups (real or sham acupuncture). Acupuncture was conducted twice weekly for 6 weeks in a single-blind setting. The effect was evaluated by measuring whole salivary flow rates (stimulated and unstimulated) and questionnaire-based assessment of subjective symptoms pre- and post-treatment (3 and 6 weeks after acupuncture treatment). Results: Both groups showed a slight increase in whole salivary flow rates, with no significant difference between them. However, real acupuncture markedly increased unstimulated salivary flow rates, and improved the score for dry mouth according to the xerostomia questionnaire, by 2.33 points versus 0.33 in the controls. Conclusions: Our results showed the significantly meaningful amelioration of the subjective sensation of xerostomia closely associated with QOL in patients with head and neck cancer treated with irradiation

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has health condition studied

Neoplasms

plan

>1/WK

has study population number

12

has duration

6 Weeks

Item sets