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Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): a pilot study using neurography
Sven Schroeder1, Gesa Meyer-Hamme, Susanne Epplée
1HanseMerkur Centre for TCM at the University Medical Center, UKE-Campus, House O55, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. schroeder@tcm-am-uke.de
Summary
Acupuncture may improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This pilot study showed nerve conduction improvements in most patients receiving acupuncture alongside medical care, suggesting potential benefits for CIPN patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) causes significant neurological deficits and pain, often leading to treatment cessation.
- Effective treatments for CIPN are currently limited, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of acupuncture for managing CIPN.
- To assess the impact of acupuncture on nerve conduction studies (NCS) in patients with CIPN.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving six patients receiving acupuncture for 10 weeks plus best medical care for CIPN.
- A control group of five patients received only best medical care for CIPN.
Main Results:
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstrated improvement in five out of six patients treated with acupuncture.
- In the control group, NCS showed no change in three patients, improvement in one, and impairment in another.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture shows a promising positive effect on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
- These findings support the need for a randomized controlled trial to further investigate acupuncture's efficacy in treating CIPN using NCS.
