Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (Cipn): A Pilot Study Using Neurography

Abstract

Objectives Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can produce severe neurological defi cits and neuropathic pain and is a potential reason for terminating or suspending chemotherapy treatments. Specifi c and effective curative treatments are lacking. Methods A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on CIPN as measured by changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS) in six patients treated with acupuncture for 10 weeks in addition to best medical care and fi ve control patients who received the best medical care but no specifi c treatment for CIPN. Results In fi ve of the six patients treated with acupuncture, NCS improved after treatment. In the control group, three of fi ve patients did not show any difference in NCS, one patient improved and one showed impaired NCS. Conclusion The data suggest that acupuncture has a positive effect on CIPN. The encouraging results of this pilot study justify a randomised controlled trial of acupuncture in CIPN on the basis of NCS. INTRODUCTIONChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) involves damage to the peripheral nervous system and can produce severe neuropathic pain or gait impairment and may be a reason to terminate or suspend chemotherapy treatments. Specifi c and effective curative treatments are lacking. The major groups of drugs that induce CIPN include the taxanes, vinca alkaloids and platinum compounds. The incidence of CIPN is high and can reach levels of up to 92%. 1 Publications in English language journals on acupuncture as a symptomatic treatment for CIPN have been limited to only a few case studies, all of which report an improvement in symptoms.2 3 A Chinese study described acupuncture as more effective than cobamamide for the treatment of sensory symptoms in paclitaxel-induced CIPN. 4 We conducted a pilot study in 2006 in 192 patients with peripheral neuropathy diagnosed on the basis of nerve conduction studies (NCS). Patients were evaluated over a period of 1 year, measured by NCS. The aim of this Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): a pilot study using neurography

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