Acupuncture for Treatment of Uncontrolled Pain in Cancer Patients

摘要

Purpose. Pain control is an ongoing challenge in the oncology setting. Prior to implementing a large randomized trial at our institution, we investigated the feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of acupuncture for uncontrolled pain among cancer patients. Hypotheses. Our hypotheses were that the acupuncture treatments provided would be (a) feasible, (b) safe, and (c) a beneficial adjunct to pain management. Study Design. This was a single arm, nonrandomized pragmatic pilot study. Methods. Participants experiencing pain ≥4 on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale received a maximum of 10 treatments on an individualized basis. Recruitment, attrition, compliance, and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Pain (Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form), quality of life (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory [MDASI]), and patient satisfaction were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment. Results. Of 115 patients screened, 52 (45%) were eligible and agreed to participate. Eleven (21%) were lost to follow-up, leaving 41 who completed all study procedures. No AEs were reported. Mean pain severity was 6.0 ± 1.3 at baseline and 3.8 ± 2.0 at follow-up (P interference was 6.2 ± 2.3 at baseline and 4.3 ± 2.8 at follow-up (P severity was 4.6 ± 1.8 at baseline and 3.2 ± 1.9 at follow-up (P interference was 5.8 ± 2.4 at baseline and 4.1 ± 2.9 at follow-up (P Conclusions. Acupuncture was feasible, safe, and a helpful treatment adjunct for cancer patients experiencing uncontrolled pain in this study. Randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.