title: Electroacupuncture for thalidomide/bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma: a feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This single-arm study evaluated feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of electroacupuncture for thalidomide/bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) in cancer patients with multiple myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with neuropathy ≥ grade 2 received 20 acupuncture treatments over 9 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the 19 evaluable patients, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecological Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG/NTX) mean (SD) scores improved significantly between baseline and week 13 (20.8 [9.6] vs 13.2 [8.5], p = 0.0002). Moderate effect size differences began on week 4, with the largest effect size differences found at week 9 for FACT/GOG/NTX scores, worst pain in the last 24 hours, and pain severity (Cohen's d = 1.43, 1.19, and 1.08, respectively) and continuing through week 13 (Cohen's d = 0.86, 0.88, and 0.90, respectively). From baseline to week 13, additional significant improvements were seen as follows: postural stability (1.0 [0.6] vs 0.8 [0.4], p = 0.02); coin test (10.0 [7.4] vs 5.6 [1.9], p < 0.0001); button test (96.1 [144.4] vs 54.9 [47.3], p < 0.0001); and walking test (21.6 [10.0] vs 17.2 [7.7], p = 0.0003). No significant changes were seen with NCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture may help patients experiencing thalidomide- or bortezomib-induced PN. Larger, randomized, clinical trials are needed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00891618.
authors.forename: M Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Yuhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Robert Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Orlowski
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Jatin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alexanian
authors.forename: Sheeba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romaguera
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badillo
authors.forename: Yiming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Delasalle
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 0429, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. miwang@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069286:Bortezomib; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001897:Boronic Acids; D011719:Pyrazines; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069286:Bortezomib