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Research: ZHUANG and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 235
Abstract
ZHUANG and COLLEAGUES, (1)Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China The authors evaluated the preventive and therapeutic effect of acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia [dryness in the mouth] among patients with head and neck cancer.
Background
Methods currently available to prevent and manage xerostomia [dryness in the mouth] caused by radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer have limited efficacy. Some studies suggest that acupuncture may be beneficial.
Methodology
PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, CAJD, Wan Fang database, and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals were electronically searched, in conjunction with further manual search for relevant articles. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were systematically evaluated.
Results
Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture were included. One RCT on the preventive effect of acupuncture was found. Because of the considerable variation among included studies, meta-analysis was not possible. Two included RCTs used placebo controls, and both observed significant improvement in the salivary flow rates between acupuncture and control groups. However, no significant differences were found. Three included RCTs suggested that acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia can improve patients' subjective symptoms. The only study evaluating the preventive effect of acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia showed positive changes in salivary flow rates (both unstimulated and stimulated) and dry mouth -related symptoms. Acupuncture treatment was well tolerated by all patients and no severe adverse effects were seen.
Conclusion
Insufficient evidence is available to judge whether acupuncture is safe and whether it is effective in preventing or treating radiation-induced xerostomia. Significant research remains to be done before acupuncture can be recommended for routine use in radiation-induced xerostomia.
References
Zhuang L(1), Yang Z, Zeng X, Zhua X, Chen Z, Liu L, Meng Z. The preventive and therapeutic effect of acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review. Integr Cancer Ther. 12(3):197-205. May 2013. doi: 10.1177/1534735412451321. Epub Jul 12 2012.
