Acupuncture for pain and dysfunction after neck dissection: results of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with cancer with a history of neck dissection. The secondary objective is to determine whether acupuncture relieves dry mouth in this population.


METHODS
Patients at a tertiary cancer center with chronic pain or dysfunction attributed to neck dissection were randomly assigned to weekly acupuncture versus usual care (eg, physical therapy, analgesia, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs, per patient preference or physician recommendation) for 4 weeks. The Constant-Murley score, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living, was the primary outcome measure. Xerostomia, a secondary end point, was assessed using the Xerostomia Inventory.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight evaluable patients were accrued and randomly assigned from 2004 to 2007 (28 and 30 patients on acupuncture and control arms, respectively). Constant-Murley scores improved more in the acupuncture group (adjusted difference between groups = 11.2; 95% CI, 3.0 to 19.3; P = .008). Acupuncture produced greater improvement in reported xerostomia (adjusted difference in Xerostomia Inventory = -5.8; 95% CI, -0.9 to -10.7; P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant reductions in pain, dysfunction, and xerostomia were observed in patients receiving acupuncture versus usual care. Although further study is needed, these data support the potential role of acupuncture in addressing post-neck dissection pain and dysfunction, as well as xerostomia.
Pfister
David G
DG
Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. pfisterd@mskcc.org
Cassileth
Barrie R
BR
Deng
Gary E
GE
Yeung
K Simon
KS
Lee
Jennifer S
JS
Garrity
Donald
D
Cronin
Angel
A
Lee
Nancy
N
Kraus
Dennis
D
Shaha
Ashok R
AR
Shah
Jatin
J
Vickers
Andrew J
AJ
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
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