Cancer

ACUPUNCTURE PROTECTS WHITE BLOOD CELLS DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
An American pilot study suggests that acupuncture may have a protective effect on white blood cell (WBC) populations in women undergoing chemotherapy for gynaecological malignancies. Twenty-one ovarian cancer patients received either active or sham acupuncture while undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy. A standardised acupuncture protocol involving manual and electrical stimulation was applied two to three times per week for a total of 10 sessions, starting one week before the second cycle of chemotherapy. The median leukocyte value in the acupuncture group was significantly higher on the first day of the third cycle of chemotherapy than in the control (8600 cell/µL versus 4400 cell/µL), and the incidence of grade two to four leukopenia was less in the acupuncture group than in the sham group (30% versus 90%). The authors conclude that acupuncture treatment resulted in clinically relevant trends of higher WBC values during chemotherapy, which suggests a potential myeloprotective effect of acupuncture. (Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with gynecologic malignancies: a pilot randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Jul;15(7):745-53).

ACUPUNCTURE REDUCES BREAST CANCER HOT FLUSHES
A Norwegian study has investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in women with breast cancer suffering from hot flushes as a result of anti-oestrogen medication (Tamoxifen). In a prospective, controlled trial, 59 wo freecyclebrighton@yahoogroups.commen were randomised to either 10 weeks of traditional Chinese acupuncture or sham acupuncture (SA). During the treatment period, verum (true) acupuncture significantly reduced the mean number of hot flushes from baseline, by 50% during the day and by almost 60% at night. Flushes were further reduced by 30% during both day and night over the next 12 weeks. In the sham acupuncture group a significant reduction of 25% in hot flushes during the day was seen during treatment, but this was reversed over the following 12 weeks. No reduction was seen in hot flushes at night. Kupperman index (a score of menopausal symptoms) was reduced by 44% from baseline to the end of the treatment period in the acupuncture group, and largely maintained 12 weeks after treatment ended. No corresponding changes were seen in the sham acupuncture group. (Acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer patients, a randomized, controlled trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Oct 7.

ACUPUNCTURE AFTER BREAST CANCER SURGERY
A Brazilian case series suggests that acupuncture can help in the rehabilitation of women following breast cancer surgery. Twenty-nine women who had lymphoedema and/or a decrease in range of arm movement following surgery were studied. The patients underwent 24 weekly acupuncture sessions. Significant improvements were observed in range of shoulder flexion and abduction, degree of lymphoedema and sense of heaviness and tightening in the affected limb after six months of therapy. (Acupuncture in the rehabilitation of women after breast cancer surgery–a case series. Acupunct Med. 2008 Jun;26(2):87-93).

ACUPUNCTURE HELPS WITH DRY MOUTH
A small study carried out in South Korea has investigated the effects of acupuncture on objective and subjective assessment of symptom changes in patients with head and neck cancer who have with radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth due to lack of saliva). Twelve patients with radiation-induced xerostomia were randomised into real or sham acupuncture groups. Acupuncture was conducted twice weekly for six weeks in a single-blind setting. The effect was evaluated by measuring salivary flow rates (stimulated and unstimulated) and questionnaire-based assessment of subjective symptoms pre- and at three and six weeks post-treatment. Both groups showed a slight increase in salivary flow rates, with no significant difference between them. However, real acupuncture markedly increased unstimulated salivary flow rates, and improved the score for dry mouth according to a xerostomia questionnaire, by 2.33 points versus 0.33 in controls. The authors conclude that the results show a significantly meaningful amelioration of the subjective sensation of xerostomia and an associated increase in quality of life. (Manual acupuncture improved quality of life in cancer patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):523-6.)

ACUPUNCTURE FOR CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE
A randomised controlled pilot study has assessed the effects of acupuncture and acupressure in managing cancer-related fatigue. Forty-seven patients with cancer who experienced moderate to severe fatigue were randomised either to an acupuncture group, an acupressure group, or a sham acupressure group. The acupuncture group received six 20 minute sessions over two weeks, while the patients in the two acupressure groups were taught to press the points themselves and did so daily thereafter for two weeks. At the end of the intervention, there was a 36% improvement in fatigue levels in the acupuncture group, while the acupressure group improved by 19% and the sham acupressure by 0.6%. (The management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy with acupuncture and acupressure: a randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 20
07 Dec;15(4):228-37).