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

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