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Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
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Preventive use of gabapentin to decrease pain and systemic symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing
Derek K Smith1, Anthony Cmelak2, Ken Niermann2
1Department of Biostatistics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Head & Neck
|August 10, 2020
Summary
Gabapentin significantly reduced pain for head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. This study shows gabapentin
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiation therapy often experience severe, painful mucositis.
- This symptom burden negatively impacts treatment adherence and overall quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic gabapentin in managing pain and other symptoms in HNC patients receiving chemoradiation.
- To assess the impact of gabapentin on symptom burden during radiation therapy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized pilot trial was conducted.
- Patients received either usual care or usual care plus gabapentin, titrated for tolerance during chemoradiation.
- Symptom surveys were administered at baseline and weekly throughout treatment.
Main Results:
- Gabapentin use led to a statistically significant decrease in pain (P = .004).
- The most substantial pain reduction was observed in the later weeks of therapy.
- By week 7, the median pain score in the gabapentin group was significantly lower than in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic gabapentin administration effectively reduced pain in HNC patients undergoing chemoradiation.
- Gabapentin also demonstrated a positive effect on neurosensory and general systemic symptoms.
- These findings suggest gabapentin as a valuable adjunct for symptom management in HNC radiation therapy.
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