title: Novel intervention with acupuncture for anorexia and cachexia in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of using acupuncture as a complementary intervention to existing treatments and to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in improving appetite and slowing weight loss with patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-group pre- and postintervention feasibility study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic for patients with cancer and a community setting, both in Florida.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of seven adults with GI cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight acupuncture sessions were provided during eight weeks. Data were collected using the visual analog scale (VAS) for appetite, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), Karnofsky Performance Status, and bioelectrical impedance analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appetite, weight, attrition rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients with a mean age of 61 years completed the intervention. Acupuncture was well accepted, feasible, and safe without any reported side effects. Appetite showed improvement, with an average score of 3.04 on the VAS and 4.14 on SNAQ compared to the preintervention scores. The average weight loss was 1.32% compared to the baseline during an eight-week period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acupuncture intervention was feasible and indicated positive outcomes. Because of the small sample size and lack of a control group, statistical significance of effectiveness was not determined. Acupuncture seemed to improve appetite and slow weight loss in patients with GI cancers, so additional studies with a larger sample size and a variety of cancers are warranted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses are uniquely able to equip patients with information about complementary therapy modalities, such as acupuncture, which is a promising way to improve appetite and slow weight loss in patients with GI cancers.
authors: Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
authors: Saunjoo L
authors: SL
authors: Yoon
authors: Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing and the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Grundmann
authors: Sunshine Integrative Health, Gainesville, FL.
authors: Joseph J
authors: JJ
authors: Williams
authors: North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville, FL.
authors: Gwen
authors: G
authors: Carriere
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002100:Cachexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: acupuncture; anorexia; bioelectrical impedance analysis; cachexia; gastrointestinal tract cancers; unintentional weight loss