ACUPUNCTURE REDUCES HEAD AND NECK PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION IN CANCER PATIENTS
August 1st, 2008
New data from a randomized, controlled trial indicates that acupuncture provides significant reductions in pain, dysfunction, and dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients after neck dissection.
The study was led by David Pfister, MD, Chief of the Head and Neck Medical Oncology Service, and Barrie Cassileth, PhD, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Pfister presented the findings last week at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology.
Neck dissection is a common procedure for treatment of head and neck cancer. There are different types of neck dissection, which vary based on which structures are removed and the anticipated side effects.
“Chronic pain and shoulder mobility problems are common after such surgery, adversely affecting quality of life,” said Pfister. Nerve-sparing and other modified techniques that preserve certain structures without compromising disease control reduce the incidence of these problems but do not eliminate them entirely. Unfortunately, available conventional methods of treatment for pain and dysfunction following neck surgery often have limited benefits, leaving much room for improvement.”
Seventy patients participated in the study and were randomized to receive either acupuncture or usual care, which includes recommendations of physical therapy exercises and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. For all of the patients, at least three months had elapsed since their surgery and radiation treatments. The acupuncture treatment group received four sessions of acupuncture over the course of approximately four weeks. Both groups were evaluated using the Constant-Murley scale, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living.
Pain and mobility improved in 39 percent of the patients receiving acupuncture, compared to a 7 percent improvement in the group that received usual care. An added benefit of acupuncture was significant reduction of reported xerostomia, or extreme dry mouth. This distressing problem, common among cancer patients following radiotherapy in the head and neck, is addressed with only limited success by mainstream means.
“Acupuncture can be extraordinarily helpful for many people,” said Cassileth. “Acupuncture can control a number of distressing symptoms, such as shortness of breath, anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue, and pain.”
A report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that more than 8 million Americans use acupuncture to treat different ailments. For more information about acupuncture for health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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