Assessing the feasibility of using acupuncture and moxibustion to improve quality of life for cancer survivors with upper body lymphoedema

详细信息	查看全文 | 推荐本文 |

• 作者：Beverley A. de Valois^a ; ^{Beverley.devalois@nhs.net} ; ^{Beverley@deValois.co.uk} ; Teresa E. Young^a ; ^{Teresa.Young2@nhs.net} ; Elaine Melsome^b ; ^{Elaine.Melsome@nhs.net}
• 关键词：Breast cancer ; Head and neck cancer ; Oncology ; Lymphoedema ; Acupuncture ; Moxibustion ; Survivorship ; Symptom burden ; Quality of life
• 刊名：European Journal of Oncology Nursing
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：119_14623889
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：July, 2012
• 卷：16
• 期：3
• 页码：301-309
• 文件大小：213 K

摘要

Purpose

Within a three-step mixed-methods study to investigate using acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) in the management of cancer treatment-related upper body lymphoedema, Step 2 obtained preliminary data about: 1) whether acu/moxa can improve quality of life, 2) the most troublesome symptoms, and 3) adverse effects.

Methods and sample

An exploratory single-arm observational clinical study included breast (BC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with mild-to-moderate uncomplicated lymphoedema for 鈮? months, 鈮? months post active-cancer treatment, no active cancer disease, undergoing routine lymphoedema maintenance. Participants received seven individualised treatments (S1), and six optional additional treatments (S2). MYMOP, SF-36 and PANAS were administered at baseline, during each series, and at follow-up 4 and 12 weeks after end-of-treatment. The primary outcome was change in MYMOP scores at the end of each series.

Key results

Of 35 participants recruited, 30 completed S1 and S2, 3 completed S1, 2 were lost to the study. Mean MYMOP profile change scores for BC participants were 1.28 points improvement on a 7-point scale (sd聽=聽0.93, p聽<聽0.0001, n聽=聽25) for S1; and 1.41 for S2 (sd聽=聽0.94, p聽<聽0.0001, n聽=聽24). S1 HNC change scores were 2.29 points improvement (sd聽=聽0.62, p聽<聽0.0001, n聽=聽7); and 0.94 for S2 (sd聽=聽0.95, p聽=聽0.06, n聽=聽6). Changes in some SF-36 scores for BC participants were significant to 4 weeks after treatment. No serious adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

This small study suggests acu/moxa is an acceptable adjunct to usual care for cancer survivors with lymphoedema. Further rigorous research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of acu/moxa in reducing the symptom burden.