Controlled Study Using Acupuncture as an Adjuvant to Treat Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

摘要

Nausea and vomiting (N/V) are significant side effects of cancer chemotherapy. This randomized, double blind controlled study was designed to assess the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on chemo- induced N/V in breast cancer patients. Seventy-five outpatients were originally designed to be recruited and randomized into three groups (total N=75): (1) 100Hz EA, (2) 10Hz EA, and (3) sham control. 101 patients were screened, 18 judged as eligible, and 10 consented to go on the protocol. Complete data were obtained from the 8 participating patients (100Hz EA, n=3; 10Hz EA, n--2; and sham, n=3). Ages ranged from 35 to 69 years old with a mean (SD) of 49.74 (11.51). The blinding of the treatment assignments was successfully concealed. Although there was no statistical significance was obtained, due to insufficient sample size, the trend showed that 100Hz EA had better antiemetic effects. No statistical significance was found in patients' quality of life. No subjects withdrew and no serious adverse events due to acupuncture treatment were observed. However, the study experienced difficulty with obtaining sufficient numbers of patients, partly due to the low prevalence of N/V among the chemotherapy patients as a result of the effectiveness of new antiemetics such as 5-HT3 antagonists.