Abstract
Acupuncture has become a popular complementary treatment in oncology, particularly
as patients seek non-pharmacological alternatives to provide symptom control. A considerable
body of evidence suggests that acupuncture modulates neurological processes to bring
about its effects. This basic research is supported by an increasing number of positive
clinical studies of varying quality. Lower quality studies have hampered the widespread
acceptability of acupuncture, with some deeming the inter-personal skills of the practitioner
to be more powerful than the needle or its equivalent. More recent randomised control
trials (RCTs) have sought to settle this controversy, with mixed results. The literature
was searched to identify, where possible, RCTs involving acupuncture and various common
cancer symptoms. A potential role for acupuncture was found in the following cancer
symptoms: pain, nausea and vomiting, xerostomia, hot flushes, fatigue, anxiety, depression
and insomnia. Acupuncture is safe with minimal side-effects, and is clinically effective
for the management of these symptoms. Continuing research using validated methodology
is essential. In the interim, health professionals should be open to explore the use
of acupuncture with their cancer patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 1,
2010
Received in revised form:
April 13,
2010
Received:
February 13,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
