title: A feasibility study to examine the role of acupuncture to reduce symptoms of lymphoedema after breast cancer: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility, acceptability and safety of using acupuncture to treat arm lymphoedema in women following treatment for breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomised controlled trial of acupuncture compared with treatment as usual. Twenty women with stable unilateral intransient lymphoedema present for at least 6 months were recruited from Sydney, Australia. The women received 12 acupuncture treatments administered to body and arm points on the non-lymphoedematous limb over 8 weeks, twice weekly for 4 weeks then once weekly for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included an assessment of interest to participate in the trial, identification of successful recruitment strategies, the appropriateness of eligibility criteria and compliance with treatment attendance. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks and included extracellular fluid, lymphoedema symptoms, well-being and safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acupuncture was an acceptable intervention in women with upper limb lymphoedema. Compliance with the treatment protocol was high, with nine women completing all 12 treatments. Outcome forms were completed by 17 women at 8 weeks. No major adverse occurrences, as defined by the study protocol, were reported from the acupuncture group although one woman found the needling uncomfortable, and no study participant experienced an increase in swelling of >10%. There was no change in extracellular fluid or any patient-reported outcome measurement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphoedema is a persistent symptom experienced by women recovering from breast cancer. Our study suggests that acupuncture may stabilise symptoms and no major safety concerns were identified, so further research is needed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, http://www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12612000607875.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Complementary Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirotta
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilbreath
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance
keywords: ACUPUNCTURE; COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; ONCOLOGY