Electroacupuncture treatment for pancreatic cancer pain: A randomized controlled trial. 


Author: Chen H, Liu TY, Kuai L, Zhu J, Wu CJ, Liu LM.

Affiliation: Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China. 
Conference/Journal: Pancreatology. 
Date published: 2013 Nov-Dec
Other:
 Volume ID: 13   ,  Issue ID: 6   ,  Pages: 594-7   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2013.10.007   ,  Word Count: 196  
    

BACKGROUND:

Pancreatic cancer is often accompanied by severe abdominal or back pain. It's the first study to evaluate the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on pancreatic cancer pain. A randomized controlled trial compared electroacupuncture with control acupuncture using the placebo needle.

METHODS:

Sixty patients with pancreatic cancer pain were randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture group (n = 30) and the placebo control group (n = 30). Patients were treated on Jiaji (Ex-B2) points T8-T12 bilaterally for 30 min once a day for 3 days. Pain intensity was assessed with numerical rated scales (NRS) before the treatment (Baseline), after 3 treatments, and 2 days follow-up.

RESULTS:

Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. After 3 treatment, pain intensity on NRS decreased compared with Baseline (-1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.46 to -1.87) in the electroacupuncture group; there was little change (-0.13, 95% CI 0.08 to -0.35) in control group; the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Follow-up also found a significant reduction in pain intensity in the electroacupuncture group compared with the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Electroacupuncture was an effective treatment for relieving pancreatic cancer pain.

Copyright © 2013 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Electroacupuncture, Pain, Pancreatic cancer



PMID: 24280575