Positive Health Online

Abstract

JOHNSTONE and colleagues, Radiation Oncology Service, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California 92134-1014, USA, pajohnstone@nmsd.navy.mil, investigated an acupuncture programme for pain relief in patients with xerostomia [dry mouth] following radiotherapy.

Background

Acupuncture has been used at the researchers' clinic in xerostomia patients since November 1999. The technique used, originally a two-step process, has undergone refinement and was reevaluated in the present study.

Methodology

The refined acupuncture procedure involved a single treatment with eight needles . Patients received treatment on three points in each ear and at one point in the radial aspect of each index finger. Patients were also given a sugar-free lozenge orally to help stimulate salivation. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was used to measure responses.

Results

At the time of this report, 50 patients had undergone 318 treatments . Patients were followed up for between 9 and 455 days after the first treatment. Pain relief scores on the XI ranged from 0 to 25 points. 35 patients (70%) showed a positive response to treatment (defined as improvement of 10% or more from baseline XI values). 24 patients (48%) showed an improvement of 10 points or more on the XI. In 13 patients (26%), treatment-related pain relief lasted more than 3 months.

Conclusion

Acupuncture was effective for relieving pain in many of the patients with xerostomia . The researchers recommend a programme of three to four weekly treatments followed by monthly sessions. However, some patients experience continued pain relief without maintenance therapy.

References

Johnstone PAS et al. Acupuncture for xerostomia: clinical update. Cancer 94 (4): 1151-6. Feb 2002.