文摘
Background This single-arm study evaluated feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of electroacupuncture for thalidomide/bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) in cancer patients with multiple myeloma. Methods Patients with neuropathy?≥?grade 2 received 20 acupuncture treatments over 9?weeks. Results For the 19 evaluable patients, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecological Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG/NTX) mean (SD) scores improved significantly between baseline and week 13 (20.8 [9.6] vs 13.2 [8.5], p--.0002). Moderate effect size differences began on week 4, with the largest effect size differences found at week 9 for FACT/GOG/NTX scores, worst pain in the last 24?hours, and pain severity (Cohen’s d--.43, 1.19, and 1.08, respectively) and continuing through week 13 (Cohen’s d--.86, 0.88, and 0.90, respectively). From baseline to week 13, additional significant improvements were seen as follows: postural stability (1.0 [0.6] vs 0.8 [0.4], p--.02); coin test (10.0 [7.4] vs 5.6 [1.9], p--.0001); button test (96.1 [144.4] vs 54.9 [47.3], p--.0001); and walking test (21.6 [10.0] vs 17.2 [7.7], p--.0003). No significant changes were seen with NCS. Conclusions Acupuncture may help patients experiencing thalidomide- or bortezomib-induced PN. Larger, randomized, clinical trials are needed. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00891618.