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Effects of acupuncture for cancer pain and quality of life - a case series.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Many cancer patients seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including acupuncture to manage their cancer-related symptoms or side effects of treatments. Acupuncture is used to manage cancer pain and improve quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to conduct a preliminary study on a case series to evaluate the feasibility of acupuncture for treating cancer pain and to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating cancer pain and improving QoL. METHODS:A semi-standardized acupuncture treatment comprising one to three treatment sessions (20-30 minutes per session) per week for 8 weeks was provided by four licensed acupuncturists, who had more than 5 years of clinical experience, at the University Health Center. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C3) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain rating were used as the outcome measures to assess pain and QoL. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment and at 4 weeks after treatment completion (week 12). RESULTS:Two males and five females with a median age of 66 years (range: 44-71 years) completed the study. For the VAS, the percentage of improvement ranged between 18% and 95%. The baseline mean raw score was reduced from 51 mm to 36 mm at the end of week 8 and to 23 mm at the end of week 12. The percentage of overall QoL improvement ranged between 20% and 100%. The mean raw score for QoL improved with time. The baseline score was increased from 55 to 69 at the end of treatment (week 8) and to 73 after the follow-up (week 12). CONCLUSIONS:This pilot study on a case series showed that acupuncture might be beneficial for reducing pain and improving QoL in cancer patients.

SUBMITTER: Vinjamury SP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3734160 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of acupuncture for cancer pain and quality of life - a case series.

Vinjamury Sivarama Prasad SP Li Ju-Tzu JT Hsiao Eric E Huang Calen C Hawk Cheryl C Miller Judith J Huang Yuhong Y

Chinese medicine 20130730 1

<h4>Background</h4>Many cancer patients seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including acupuncture to manage their cancer-related symptoms or side effects of treatments. Acupuncture is used to manage cancer pain and improve quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to conduct a preliminary study on a case series to evaluate the feasibility of acupuncture for treating cancer pain and to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating cancer pain and improving Q ...[more]

PMID: 23895044

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Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy (AT) for improving functional effects and quality of life in COPD patients.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), and Wanfang Data were searched. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of AT on COPD patients were included. Primary outcome measures included six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were independently conducted, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted by RevMan software (version 5.3) and Stata software (version 12.0).ResultsNineteen studies (1298 participants) were included. 6MWD improved more (MD: 47.84; 95% CI: 23.33 to 72.35; Z = 3.83, P = 0.0001) and effective rate was higher (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.43 to 3.58; Z = 3.48, P = 0.0005) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Symptom domain scores (MD: -24.86; 95% CI: -32.17 to -17.55; Z = 6.66, P < 0.00001), activity domain scores (MD: -16.52; 95% CI: -22.57 to -10.47; Z = 5.36, P < 0.00001) and impact domain scores (MD: -13.07; 95% CI: -17.23 to -8.92; Z = 6.16, P < 0.00001) of SGRQ in the experimental group improved more compared to the control group. There was no significant improvement in SGRQ total scores between two groups. The improvement of FEV1 was not significant between two groups, yet subgroup analysis showed that patients treated with AT adjunctive to other treatments improved more in FEV1 (MD: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.54; Z = 6.01, P < 0.00001) compared to those treated with other treatments alone.ConclusionAT may be effective in improving functional effects and quality of life in COPD patients. Besides, AT may also improve pulmonary function of patients with COPD. However, further high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of AT for COPD patients.

Project description:ObjectivesTo assess feasibility and effect of multimodal prehabilitation in patients with severe life-limiting intermittent claudication and complex infrainguinal disease.DesignCase series of patients who underwent a 12-week prehabilitation program.SettingOutpatient clinic of a public tertiary hospital.ParticipantsPatients with a diagnosis of severe life-limiting intermittent claudication (Fontaine stage IIb and III) with complex infrainguinal disease or previous failed bypass attempts (N=5) who were referred to the prehabilitation clinic by a vascular surgeon.InterventionsPatients underwent a baseline assessment that included quality of life questionnaires and functional capacity tests. After baseline assessment, they received a 12-week prehabilitation program that consisted of (1) a supervised exercise session 1 time per week; (2) home-based exercise prescription; (3) nutritional counseling; (4) smoking cessation; and (5) psychosocial intervention. Adherence to all components was recorded as well as the occurrence of any adverse event. After completion of the 12-week program, patients were reassessed.Main outcome measureFeasibility of prehabilitation measured by adherence to the different components of the program and occurrence of adverse events.ResultsAll 5 patients completed the program. No serious adverse events occurred during the length of prehabiliation. Median adherence to each prehabilitation component was 91.7% (interquartile range [IQR], 33.5%) for supervised training, 91.7% (IQR, 40%) for home-based exercise, and 75% (IQR, 50%) for nutrition. Three of the 5 patients underwent psychosocial intervention and all who were active smokers enrolled in the smoking cessation program. Functional capacity measured with the 6-minute walk distance improved by 70 m (IQR, 99 m), and disease-specific quality of life measured with the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire improved by 25%.ConclusionMultimodal prehabilitation appears to be a feasible tool that could be used to increase functional capacity and quality of life for patients with complex infrainguinal disease and expected poor revascularization outcome or previous failed bypass attempts.

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Effects of acupuncture for cancer pain and quality of life - a case series.

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Effects of acupuncture for cancer pain and quality of life - a case series.

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