Acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: a pilot study.
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.
Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
M Kay
MK
Garcia
Joseph S
JS
Chiang
Lorenzo
L
Cohen
Meide
M
Liu
J Lynn
JL
Palmer
David I
DI
Rosenthal
Qi
Q
Wei
Samuel
S
Tung
Congjun
C
Wang
Thomas
T
Rahlfs
Mark S
MS
Chambers
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*