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Acupuncture for radiation‐induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Garcia M. Kay,
Chiang Joseph S.,
Cohen Lorenzo,
Liu Meide,
Palmer J. Lynn,
Rosenthal David I.,
Wei Qi,
Tung Samuel,
Wang Congjun,
Rahlfs Thomas,
Chambers Mark S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21110
Subject(s) - medicine , acupuncture , quality of life (healthcare) , head and neck cancer , physical therapy , cancer , radiation therapy , head and neck , significant difference , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , nursing
Background This pilot study evaluated if acupuncture can alleviate radiation‐induced xerostomia among patients with cancer. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of acupuncture on salivary flow and quality of life (QOL). Methods Nineteen patients received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Results Xerostomia inventory (XI) and patient benefit questionnaire (PBQ) scores were significantly better after acupuncture on weeks 4 and 8 than at baseline (XI: p = .0004 and .0001; PBQ: p = .0004 and .0011, respectively). For QOL at weeks 4 and 8, there was a significant difference for questions related to head/neck cancer ( p = .04 and .006, respectively). At week 8, there was a significant difference in physical well‐being ( p = .04). At weeks 5 and 8, there were significant differences in the total score ( p = .04 and .03, respectively). Conclusions Acupuncture was effective for radiation‐induced xerostomia in this small pilot study. Further research is needed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009