Purpose. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and dose-limiting side effect of cytostatic drugs. Since there are no proven therapeutic procedures against CIPN, we were interested to define the role of electroacupuncture (EA) from which preliminary data showed promising results. Methods. In a randomized trial with a group sequential adaptive design in patients with CIPN, we compared EA (LV3, SP9, GB41, GB34, LI4, LI11, SI3, and HT3; n = 14) with hydroelectric baths (HB, n = 14), vitamin B1/B6 capsules (300/300 mg daily; VitB, n = 15), and placebo capsules (n = 17). The statistical power in this trial was primarily calculated for proving EA only, so results of HB and VitB are pilot data. Results. CIPN complaints improved by 0.8 ± 1.2 (EA), 1.7 ± 1.7 (HB), 1.6 ± 2.0 (VitB), and 1.3 ± 1.3 points (placebo) on a 10-point numeric rating scale without significant difference between treatment groups or placebo. In addition no significant differences in sensory nerve conduction studies or quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) were found. Conclusions. The used EA concept, HB, and VitB were not superior to placebo. Since, contrary to our results, studies with different acupuncture concepts showed a positive effect on CIPN, the effect of acupuncture on CIPN remains unclear. Further randomized, placebo controlled studies seem necessary. This trial is registered with DRKS00004448.

Constipation, one of the major side effects of opiates used in palliative care, can impair patients’ quality of life to a point where it prevents sufficient pain control. Methylnaltrexone is a novel μ-receptor antagonist, which does not pass the blood brain barrier. It is licensed to treat opiate induced constipation for patients with advanced diseases. This review article presents an overview of pharmacology and safety of its application, evidence of its efficacy and economic aspects of its use in clinical practice. Available data are limited but strongly suggest that methylnaltrexone causes laxation in less than 24 hours for at least half of those patients over the first two weeks of usage without impairing pain control or causing serious adverse effects. To avoid danger of gastrointestinal perforation it is contraindicated for patients at risk for that complication. More research is needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy and economic impact.

Despite effective treatment options, more than 40% of cancer patients receive inadequate pain management. Our previous pilot study resulted in substantial adaptations of a cancer pain self-management intervention, the German PRO-Self © Plus Pain Control Program originally developed in the United States. This program will be implemented into clinical practice at the Medical Center-University of Freiburg. The purpose of this multiple methods pilot study is to test the implementation regarding feasibility and effects in clinical practice. In a randomized, wait-list controlled pilot study, adult oncology in-patients of a palliative care consultation service with pain >3/10 will be recruited. The intervention will be performed by a specialized advanced practice nurse with an inhospital visit and, after discharge, via phone calls and visits. The follow-up will be personalized according to a clinical algorithm that factors in pain intensity, satisfaction with pain management, and patient adherence. The intervention includes structured and tailored components and is based on three key strategies: information, skill building and nurse coaching. The specific aims of this study are threefold: 1) to test the feasibility of the study and intervention procedures; 2) to establish effect sizes of main outcome variables (e.g. decrease pain intensity, reduce the number of patients with pain as main symptom) for subsequent power calculation; 3) to explore participants' experiences with pain self-management support and their view of burden and benefit from study participation in a qualitative substudy. During the study period, which includes three data collection time points (T0 before, T1 one week and T2 six weeks after discharge), data will be collected via field notes of study nurses and questionnaires of patients. The results of this pilot study will build the basis for a larger comparative effectiveness study in which long term outcomes of a cancer pain self-management intervention in clinical practice will be evaluated.

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