title: Effect of acupuncture for radioactive-iodine-induced anorexia in thyroid cancer patients: a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for radioactive iodine (RAI)-induced anorexia in thyroid cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen thyroid cancer patients with RAI-induced anorexia were randomized to a true acupuncture or sham acupuncture group. Both groups were given 6 true or sham acupuncture treatments in 2 weeks. Outcome measures included the change of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia and Cachexia Treatment (FAACT; Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale [ACS], Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), weight, body mass index (BMI), ACTH, and cortisol levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean FAACT ACS scores of the true and sham acupuncture groups increased from baseline to exit in intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses; the true acupuncture group showed higher increase but with no statistical significance. Between groups, from baseline to the last treatment, statistically significant differences were found in ITT analysis of the Table of Index (TOI) score (P = .034) and in PP analysis of the TOI (P = .016), FACT-G (P = .045), FAACT (P = .037) scores. There was no significant difference in VAS, weight, BMI, ACTH, and cortisol level changes between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the current study is based on a small sample of participants, our findings support the safety and potential use of acupuncture for RAI-induced anorexia and quality of life in thyroid cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeungwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chong-Kwan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Chul
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Wonkwang University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sungchul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Suk-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea altyhs@dju.kr.
authors.forename: Hwa-Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: FAACT; acupuncture; anorexia; radioactive iodine; thyroid cancer