Research Archive

Acupuncture treatment produces measurable benefits in symptom reduction and quality of life (QOL) for patients with advanced ovarian and breast cancer, according to US researchers. In a pilot, single-armed prospective trial, 40 patients with advanced cancer were enrolled to receive 12 acupuncture sessions over eight weeks, with follow-up at weeks 9 and 12. Among all 32 assessed patients, there was ...

Acupuncture has the potential to benefit cancer patients who have had neck surgery, according to an American study. Fifty-eight patients with chronic pain or dysfunction attributed to neck dissection were randomly assigned to weekly acupuncture or usual care (physical therapy, analgesia, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs) for four weeks. Significant reductions in pain, dysfunction, and xerostomia wer ...

Acupuncture may help to relieve the joint pain and stiffness that are a common side-effect of the use of aromatase inhibitors (AI) that suppress oestrogen production in women with breast cancer. US researchers conducted a study of 43 postmenopausal women with early breast cancer who were being treated with AI and experiencing arthralgia. They were randomised to receive true acupuncture (TA - auric ...

A review paper from Hong Kong traces the use of Huang Lian (Coptidis rhizoma) from traditional Chinese medicine (CM) to recent pharmacological studies of Huang Lian and its major component, berberine. The modern discovery of anti-cancer effects for Huang Lian and berberine are strongly linked with the traditional concepts and rules for using Huang Lian in CM practice. From a traditional standpoint ...

A phase II clinical study carried out in Korea has found that a herbal decoction containing Huang Qi (Astragali membranaceus radix) can improve appetite and body weight in patients with advanced cancer. Anorexia leads to significant weight loss and eventually reduces survival in cancer patients. Korean clinicians administered the herbal decoction to eleven severely anorexic patients 30 minutes aft ...

A preliminary trial by an American team has found acupuncture to be a promising way of treating arthralgia in women receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for breast cancer. Twelve patients were provided with electro-acupuncture (EA) twice a week for two weeks, followed by six weekly treatments. Acupuncture was based on the TCM diagnosis of bi syndrome, with electrostimulation of needles around the ...

A systematic review published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation that evaluates medical research, pooled results from nine studies into the use of acupuncture for post-chemotherapy vomiting. Overall, 22% of patients who received acupuncture suffered vomiting the first day after chemotherapy, compared to 33% of those who did not receive acupuncture. When acupressure studie ...

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) does not reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy on patient's blood cell populations, however it does have a significant impact on control of nausea. One hundred and twenty patients with early-stage breast or colon cancer who required postoperative chemotherapy were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either individualised TCHM presc ...

Self-applied acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting has been found to compare favourably with placebo. A multicentre, longitudinal, randomised clinical trial enrolled 160 women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Subjects were randomised to one of three groups: acupressure at Neiguan P-6 point (active), acupressure to Houxi SI-3 point (placebo), or usual care only. Subject ...

Researchers have investigated whether acupuncture can reduce the need for antiemetic medication during chemotherapy in paediatric oncology. A multicentre crossover study carried out at five hospitals in Germany enrolled 23 children, mean age 13.6 years, who were receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy for the treatment of solid malignant tumours. Patients were randomly allocated to receive acupun ...

Both electroacupuncture (EA) and traditional acupuncture (TA) can reduce the impact of hot flushes on men who have had castrational treatment for prostate cancer. Swedish researchers randomised 31 men with hot flushes due to prostate cancer treatment to EA (12 points, with four electro-stimulated) or TA (12 points) weekly for 12 weeks. Hot flushes per 24 hours decreased significantly, from a media ...

The role of auricular acupuncture (AA) in men receiving luteinising-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues for cancer of the prostate has been investigated by a research group in the UK. Vasomotor symptoms similar to those observed in postmenopausal women can affect the quality of life in such men. Sixty patients (median age 74 years) received weekly AA for 10 weeks. Ninety-five percent of pat ...

A pilot study suggests that ginseng can relieve fatigue and boost energy levels in people with cancer.

A small American trial appears to show that acupuncture can benefit cancer-related fatigue.

An American pilot study suggests that acupuncture may have a protective effect on white blood cell (WBC) populations in women undergoing chemotherapy for gynaecological malignancies.

A Norwegian study has investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in women with breast cancer suffering from hot flushes as a result of anti-oestrogen medication (Tamoxifen).

The role of auricular acupuncture (AA) in men receiving luteinising-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues for cancer of the prostate has been investigated by a research group in the UK.

Both electroacupuncture (EA) and traditional acupuncture (TA) can reduce the impact of hot flushes on men who have had castrational treatment for prostate cancer.

Swedish researchers have compared the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) and hormone therapy (HT) on vasomotor symptoms in women with a history of breast cancer.

A Brazilian case series suggests that acupuncture can help in the rehabilitation of women following breast cancer surgery.