Acupuncture for quality of life in gastric cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy Journal Article
| Authors: | Zhu, Y. J.; Wu, X. Y.; Wang, W.; Chang, X. S.; Zhan, D. D.; Diao, D. C.; Xiao, J.; Li, Y.; Ma, D.; Hu, M.; Li, J. C.; Wan, J.; Wu, G. N.; Ke, C. F.; Sun, K. Y.; Huang, Z. L.; Cao, T. Y.; Zhai, X. H.; Chen, Y. D.; Peng, J. J.; Mao, J. J.; Zhang, H. B. |
| Article Title: | Acupuncture for quality of life in gastric cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy |
| Abstract: | Context: Patients with gastric cancer experience health-related quality of life (HRQOL) decline during adjuvant chemotherapy following gastrectomy. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the preliminary effect and feasibility of electro-acupuncture (EA) for HRQOL and symptom burden in these patients. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter, parallel controlled trial, gastric cancer patients who planned to receive adjuvant chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive high-dose EA (seven times each chemotherapy cycle for three cycles), low-dose EA (three times each chemotherapy cycle), or usual care only. The acupoints prescription consisted of bilateral ST36, PC6, SP4, and DU20, EX-HN3, and selected Back-shu points. Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga) weekly, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). The primary outcome was the difference among the groups on the gastric cancer subscale (GaCS) of the FACT-Ga. Results: Of the 66 randomized patients, 58 were analyzed according to intention-to-treat principle, and 45 were in the per-protocol set (PPS). The average scores in PPS of GaCS were 52.12±9.71, 51.85±12.36, and 45.37±8.61 in high-dose EA, low-dose EA, and control groups, respectively. EA was significantly associated with improved average GaCS scores when compared with control group (51.98±10.91 vs. 45.37±8.61, P = 0.039). EA treatment also produced ESAS relief at the end of intervention (14.36 ± 12.28 vs. 23.91 ± 15.52, P = 0.027). Participants in EA groups had fewer grade ≥3 leukopenia (0% vs. 15.79%, P = 0.031) and neutropenia (2.56% vs. 26.31%, P = 0.012). Conclusion: EA showed promising effects in improving HRQOL, controlling symptom burden, and reducing toxicity during adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients. Future adequately powered trials are feasible and needed to confirm the specific effect of EA. © 2021 The Authors |
| Keywords: | adult; controlled study; middle aged; major clinical study; constipation; neutropenia; cancer combination chemotherapy; diarrhea; side effect; capecitabine; adjuvant therapy; cancer patient; quality of life; multiple cycle treatment; sensory neuropathy; anemia; leukopenia; nausea; randomized controlled trial; thrombocytopenia; vomiting; peripheral neuropathy; creatinine; dyspnea; prescription; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; bilirubin; feasibility study; pilot study; multicenter study; adjuvant chemotherapy; patient safety; stomach cancer; open study; therapy effect; acupuncture; health-related quality of life; oxaliplatin; hand foot syndrome; parallel design; oral mucositis; gastric cancer; functional assessment of cancer therapy; body surface; clinical outcome; pandemic; gimeracil plus oteracil potassium plus tegafur; electroacupuncture; open surgery; disease burden; symptom burden; intention to treat analysis; human; male; female; article; preliminary data; therapeutic dose; coronavirus disease 2019; acupuncture point; back shu acupoint; baihui acupoint; bladder meridian acupoint; edmonton symptom assessment system; functional assessment of cancer therapy gastric; gongsun acupoint; neiguan acupoint; yintang acupoint; zusanli acupoint |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management |
| Volume: | 63 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 0885-3924 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2022-02-01 |
| Start Page: | 210 |
| End Page: | 220 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.009 |
| PUBMED: | 34563627 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC11488290 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus |
