Chao LF, Zhang AL, Liu HE, Cheng MH, Lam HB, Lo SK, et al.
Breast cancer research and treatment. Date of publication 2009 Nov 1;volume 118(2):255-67.
1. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Nov;118(2):255-67. doi: 10.1007/s10549-009-0533-8.
The efficacy of acupoint stimulation for the management of therapy-related
adverse events in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review.
Chao LF(1), Zhang AL, Liu HE, Cheng MH, Lam HB, Lo SK.
Author information:
(1)School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the evidence on the use of
acupoint stimulation for managing therapy-related adverse events in breast
cancer. A comprehensive search was conducted on eight English and Chinese
databases to identify clinical trials designed to examine the efficacy of
acupressure, acupuncture, or acupoint stimulation (APS) for the management of
adverse events due to treatments of breast cancer. Methodological quality of the
trials was assessed using a modified Jadad scale. Using pre-determined keywords,
843 possibly relevant titles were identified. Eventually 26 papers, 18 in English
and eight in Chinese, satisfied the inclusion criteria and entered the quality
assessment stage. The 26 articles were published between 1999 and 2008. They
assessed the application of acupoint stimulation on six disparate conditions
related to anticancer therapies including vasomotor syndrome,
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, lymphedema, post-operation pain,
aromatase inhibitors-related joint pain and leukopenia. Modalities of acupoint
stimulation used included traditional acupuncture, acupressure,
electroacupuncture, and the use of magnetic device on acupuncture points.
Overall, 23 trials (88%) reported positive outcomes on at least one of the
conditions examined. However, only nine trials (35%) were of high quality; they
had a modified Jadad score of 3 or above. Three high quality trials revealed that
acupoint stimulation on P6 (NeiGuang) was beneficial to chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting. For other adverse events, the quality of many of the trials
identified was poor; no conclusive remarks can be made. Very few minor adverse
events were observed, and only in five trials. APS, in particular acupressure on
the P6 acupoint, appears beneficial in the management of chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting, especially in the acute phase. More well-designed trials
using rigorous methodology are required to evaluate the effectiveness of acupoint
stimulation interventions on managing other distress symptoms.
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-009-0533-8
PMID: 19760035 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
