Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for cancer-related fatigue: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a prevalent symptom in cancer survivors. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been reported as a promising therapy for CRF. This protocol is proposed for a systematic review that aims to assess the efficacy and safety of TEAS for CRF.Methods and analysisCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Medline, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry System, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform will be searched from inception to 31 January 2021 without language limitations. The eligible randomised controlled trials will be included. The primary outcomes include changes in the revised Piper fatigue scale, the Brief fatigue inventory, the Multidimensional fatigue inventory and the Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy fatigue. The secondary outcomes are the quality-of-life measurement index, the Hamilton anxiety scale, the Hamilton depression scale and adverse events. The selection of studies, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Data synthesis will be performed using RevMan V.5.4.1. The quality of evidence will be evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. This study will strictly adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required as this is a systematic review and meta-analysis based on previously published studies involving no private information of patients. The results of this study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020220282.

Effect of Somatosensory Interaction Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Cancer-related Fatigue and Immunity

“…On the one hand, the human acupoints selected were based on empirical evidence and were not accurately located; on the other hand, the empirical treatment protocols varied greatly with individual patients, which made it hard to assess and verify long-term treatment effects. 13 , 35 , 44 Previous studies 18 , 45 have found that the identification and location of acupoints would become much more operable and independent rehabilitation by patients would become easier under the assistance of the SI technology. That study proposed a new physical therapy that combined meridians in the traditional Chinese medicine, SI, and modern electronic technology.…”

“…Moreover, because the treatment protocols are not universal and because patients have limited self-awareness towards their own condition, recovery can hardly be continued and the treatment is ineffective. 13 , 14 TEAS studies focus mostly on its effects, while technical innovation in this regard is rarely discussed. The application of somatosensory interaction (SI) in independent rehabilitation with acupoint massage is a new type of sports rehabilitation method.…”

“…However, TEAS treatment is completely dependent on doctors, and the relevant medical resources are in shortage. Moreover, because the treatment protocols are not universal and because patients have limited self-awareness towards their own condition, recovery can hardly be continued and the treatment is ineffective 13,14. TEAS studies focus mostly on its effects, while technical innovation in this regard is rarely discussed.…”

Acupuncture in cancer care: a narrative review

“…Acupuncture is also widely used for palliative and supportive care for cancer patients, and it has not only been limited to manual acupuncture but has also incorporated electrical acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, etc 8 – 10 . Based on a large number of recommendations made by clinical practice guideline development groups and expert groups from 13 countries, acupuncture has been recommended for chemotherapy-induced and post-operative nausea and vomiting, cancer pain, fatigue, insomnia, xerostomia, hot flashes, lymphoedema, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, as well as to improve the quality of life (QoL) of these patients 11 , 12 .…”

Transcutaneous Electrical Cranial-Auricular Acupoint Stimulation Modulating the Brain Functional Connectivity of Mild-to-Moderate Major Depressive Disorder: An fMRI Study Based on Independent Component Analysis

“…A study by Fang et al [37] suggested that taVNS could significantly normalize the intrinsic connectivity of the DMN in MDD, and Rong et al [38] showed the potential application of VNS treatment for MDD. Transcutaneous electrical cranial stimulation (TECS) is an additional promising therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid depression, as well as for cancer-related fatigue [39,40]. Based on the above studies, a new non-invasive stimulation method combined taVNS [37,38], and TECS named transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoint stimulation (TECAS)was developed showing high patient adherence in the treatment of depression.…”