Ear acupuncture and the quality of life of cancer patients: Integrative Review

Abstract

Objective: To perform an integrative review through the available production related to the use of auricular acupuncture as an intervention to improve the QoL of cancer patients.Methodology: Integrative review of literature with search in electronic bases and virtual health libraries portal VHL, CAPES, CINHAL, PUBMED, WEB of SCIENCE and SCOPUS in the period of January 2017, using as descriptors cancer, neoplasia, auriculotherapy, ear acupuncture and auricular acupuncture. The proposed integrative review took place in six distinct and complementary steps.Results: Six articles with satisfactory evidence of interventions in the clinical symptoms inherent to cancer and its treatment that demonstrated positive impacts of auriculotherapy as an intervention were identified. Conclusion:The studies related to the subject are not so disponible, they do point to a little explored scientific reality. More clinical trials should be undertaken to strengthen the evidence for effective therapeutic interventions, subsidize practice, and ensure qualified care.