Acupuncture May Alleviate Cancer-related Fatigue

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Acupuncture May Alleviate Cancer-related Fatigue

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " The management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy

with acupuncture and acupressure: A randomised controlled trial, "

Molassiotis A, Sylt P, Diggins H, Complement Ther Med, 2007; 15(4):

228-37. (Address: University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery

& Social Work, Coupland III, Coupland Street, Manchester M13 9PL, United

Kingdom).

Summary: In a randomized, controlled trial involving 47 patients with

cancer who were experiencing moderate to severe fatigue, significant

improvements in fatigue were found among subjects who received

acupuncture, and to a lesser extent, subjects who received acupressure.

Of the 47 patients, 15 were randomized to acupuncture, which consisted

of six 20 minute sessions over a period of 2 weeks; 16 were randomized

to acupressure, which consisted of being taught to massage/press those

key acupuncture points and massaging/pressing them on their own for 2

weeks; and 16 were randomized to sham acupressure. Assessment of fatigue

was carried out at baseline, after the 2-week intervention, and 2 weeks

after the inventions had ended. Immediately following the 2 week

intervention, results found significant reductions in fatigue in the

acupuncture group (36% improvement) and the acupressure group (19%

improvement), while no significant improvement was found in the sham

acupressure group (0.6% improvement). Two weeks after the intervention

had ended, improvements were still present (22% in the acupuncture

group, 15% in the acupressure group, and 7% in the sham acupressure

group). Overall significant improvements were found in general fatigue,

physical fatigue, activity, and motivation. The authors conclude that,

" Acupuncture shows great potential in the management of cancer-related

fatigue. As a randomised trial with acupuncture is feasible and

preliminary data shows significant improvements, it should be tested

further using a large sample and a multicentre design. "

--

ne Holden, MS, RD

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