Hemiparesis after Operation of Astrocytoma Grade II in Adults: Effects of Acupuncture on Sensory-Motor Behavior and Quality of Life

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hemiparesis and quality of life for adults with brain astrocytoma grade II, we conducted a randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial. Fifty-eight patients were randomized to standard rehabilitation (SR) therapy without acupuncture (n = 20), SR plus standard acupuncture (SA) (n = 19), and SR plus individualized acupuncture (IA) (n = 19). SA points were PC6, SP6, HT1, LU5, BL40, and ST36, while a special concept called “connecting and regulation Ren and Du” and “Jin-3-needling” served as IA. This treatment was individualized according to the clinical syndrome. The outcome was measured by the Barthel Index (BI), the Fugl-Meyer scale (FM), and the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) with the Brain Cancer Module (BCM20). IA + SR reached significantly higher BI scores than SA + SR, which reached significantly higher BI scores than SR. IA + SR was significantly superior to SA + SR and to SR at the 8th week for the scores of FM motor and sensory assessments and most QLQ-C30-BCM20 items. In conclusion, the individualized acupuncture concept of “connecting and regulating Ren and Du” combined with “Jin-3-needling” offers a promising possibility for the treatment of hemiparesis due to astrocytoma, but further evaluation is mandatory.

Patient‐reported health‐related quality of life outcomes in supportive‐care interventions for adults with brain tumors: A systematic review

“…Brain tumor patients desire interventions that will help them redefine hope and improve their HRQoL . The current review was only able to identify two RCTs where the intervention group showed significant improvement in HRQoL over the control group(s)—a home‐based psychosocial intervention and individualized acupuncture combined with standard rehabilitation . Yet efforts are underway to further explore acupuncture and psychosocial interventions with respect to effects on HRQoL in these patients.…”

“…One study examined the effect of Boswellia serrata (BS, extract of Indian frankincense) on cerebral edema. Finally, a single study examined the effect of acupuncture (individualized or standardized) combined with standard rehabilitation, versus standard rehabilitation alone (standard of care), on hemiparesis.…”

“…At 6‐month follow‐up, all of the participants had completed the intervention per the crossover design of the study; participants reported significantly higher existential well‐being and overall HRQoL compared with their baseline scores (as measured by the existential well‐being subscale of the MQoL and the MQoL total score, respectively; the FACT‐G was not administered at 6‐month follow‐up). The acupuncture study included three treatment arms: (a) individualized acupuncture and standard rehabilitation (IA + SR), (b) standard acupuncture and SR (SA + SR), and (c) standard rehabilitation alone (SR). Baseline HRQoL scores (as measured by the EORTC QLQ‐C30‐BN20) were not statistically significantly different among the three groups.…”

“…Three of the studies received a quality rating of “strong”, three of “moderate”, and four of “weak”. Of the studies included in this review, only two interventions were associated with significant improvements in HRQoL relative to control conditions. Of note, these two studies received quality ratings of moderate and strong .…”

“…Of the studies included in this review, only two interventions were associated with significant improvements in HRQoL relative to control conditions. Of note, these two studies received quality ratings of moderate and strong . Thus, there is evidence that psychosocial interventions can improve HRQoL in a heterogeneous sample of patients with brain tumors and that individualized acupuncture can have a positive effect on HRQoL over and above standard rehabilitation in patients with astrocytoma.…”