OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the currently available randomized clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients, hence, to provide sufficient evidences for the widespread use of acupuncture in cancer treatment. METHODS: Two independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients. Seven databases were searched from their respective inception to December 2010. All eligible trials identified were evaluated by two independent reviewers using the Jadad scale, and data from the articles were validated and extracted. RESULTS: In total, 33 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The effects of acupuncture on different cancer-related aspects were shown, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced side effects (13/33, 39.4%), cancer pain (6/33, 18.2%), post-operative urinary retention (4/33, 12.1%), quality of life (2/33, 6.1%), vasomotor syndrome (2/33, 6.1%), post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction (2/33, 6.1%), prevention of prolonged postoperative ileus (2/33, 6.1%), joint symptoms (1/33, 3.0%), and immunomodulation (1/33, 3.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The result of our systematic review suggested that the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients is promising, especially in reducing chemotherapy or radiotherapyinduced side effects and cancer pain. Acupuncture may be an appropriate adjunctive treatment for palliative care.
OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the currently available randomized clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancerpatients, hence, to provide sufficient evidences for the widespread use of acupuncture in cancer treatment. METHODS: Two independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of acupuncture in palliative care for cancerpatients. Seven databases were searched from their respective inception to December 2010. All eligible trials identified were evaluated by two independent reviewers using the Jadad scale, and data from the articles were validated and extracted. RESULTS: In total, 33 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The effects of acupuncture on different cancer-related aspects were shown, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced side effects (13/33, 39.4%), cancer pain (6/33, 18.2%), post-operative urinary retention (4/33, 12.1%), quality of life (2/33, 6.1%), vasomotor syndrome (2/33, 6.1%), post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction (2/33, 6.1%), prevention of prolonged postoperative ileus (2/33, 6.1%), joint symptoms (1/33, 3.0%), and immunomodulation (1/33, 3.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The result of our systematic review suggested that the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancerpatients is promising, especially in reducing chemotherapy or radiotherapyinduced side effects and cancer pain. Acupuncture may be an appropriate adjunctive treatment for palliative care.
Authors: Gary Deng; Andrew Vickers; Simon Yeung; Gabriella M D'Andrea; Han Xiao; Alexandra S Heerdt; Steven Sugarman; Tiffany Troso-Sandoval; Andrew D Seidman; Clifford A Hudis; Barrie Cassileth Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2007-12-10 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Weidong Lu; Elizabeth Dean-Clower; Anne Doherty-Gilman; David S Rosenthal Journal: Hematol Oncol Clin North Am Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 3.722
Authors: Xinyin Wu; Vincent C H Chung; Edwin P Hui; Eric T C Ziea; Bacon F L Ng; Robin S T Ho; Kelvin K F Tsoi; Samuel Y S Wong; Justin C Y Wu Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2015-11-26 Impact factor: 4.379