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Research: ALIMI and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 98
Abstract
ALIMI and co-workers, Pain Management Unit, INSERM, U521, Villejuif, France, have conducted a randomized, single-blinded controlled trial of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain.
Background
Auricular acupuncture has been used for 30 years as a complementary treatment for cancer pain when analgesic medication is not sufficient. This trial aimed to assess the analgesic effect of this acupuncture.
Methodology
90 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group received two treatments of auricular acupuncture at points where an electrodermal signal had been detected. The second group received auricular acupuncture at points where no such signal had been detected (placebo points). The third group received auricular seeds fixed at placebo points. Patients had to be in pain with a score of at least 30 mm on a 100-mm pain VAS after analgesic medication for at least one month.
Results
The main outcome measure was pain intensity two months after treatment. Pain intensity decreased by 36% from baseline in the treatment group, compared to 2% in the two placebo groups (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion
The observed reduction in pain at two months post treatment represents a clear benefit of this analgesic therapy for cancer patients.
References
Alimi D, Rubino C, Pichard-Leandri E, Fermand-Brule S, Dubreuil-Lemaire ML, Hill C. Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology 21 (22): 4120-4126, Nov 2003.
