Manual acupuncture improved quality of life in cancer patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
East-West Cancer Center, Dunsan Hospital of Oriental Medical College, Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea.
Jung Hyo
JH
Cho
Weon Kuu
WK
Chung
Weechang
W
Kang
Sun Mi
SM
Choi
Chong Kwan
CK
Cho
Chang Gue
CG
Son
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*