title: Patient-reported Outcomes of Acupuncture for Symptom Control in Cancer.
abstract: Acupuncture is increasingly offered as a treatment option for managing cancer-related symptoms. In addition to randomized controlled trials, patient-reported outcomes may be needed to establish treatment effectiveness. This study retrospectively examined the symptoms and the satisfaction ratings of 90 patients receiving acupuncture at an integrative oncology clinic. At least two acupuncture sessions were completed by 72% of the sample. The prevalence rates of fatigue, pain, anxiety, physical distress, emotional distress, and poor quality of life before acupuncture were > 62%. Paired t tests revealed a significant reduction in symptoms from baseline until after the first acupuncture session and after the last session (p < 0.05). Fewer (21%) patients reported nausea, which was significantly reduced after the first session, but not the last session. Reductions represented clinically meaningful differences in 33-41% of patients after the first session and in 41-53% of patients after the last session for all symptoms, except nausea. A small subset of patients (0-8%) reported worsening symptoms after acupuncture. The majority were satisfied with the service. The results of this study suggest that acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment for cancer symptom management. While high-quality trials are still needed to establish the treatment's efficacy, patients may benefit from these primarily safe, low-cost services.
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, USA. Electronic address: lora.thompson@moffitt.org.
authors.forename: Lora M A
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Equity and Quality Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Divisions of Palliative Care and Corporate Wellness, University of Florida Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah Rausch
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Osian
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: Peter A S
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: acupuncture; cancer symptom management; patient-reported outcomes; quality of life; satisfaction