CLINICAL TRIALS OF EFFECTIVENESS Radiation-induced xerostomia (1) pilot

Methods Adult patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomised to receive either real or sham acupuncture for 3 days a week for 6 weeks, each session on the same day but prior to scheduled radiation treatment. The real acupuncture group had needles inserted to standard recommended depths or achievement of de qi. The following points were included: body points CV24, LU7 and KI6; ear points Shenmen, point zero, salivary gland 2-prime and larynx. All bilateral acupuncture points were treated for 20 min. Interestingly, those patients receiving real acupuncture also had a sham needle inserted at GB32 in order to maintain participant blinding. The sham acupuncture group had treatment using a Park nonpenetrating needle device at sites near but not over known acupuncture points CV24, TE6 and ST36. In addition, four real acupuncture needles were inserted on the helix of each ear, as well as GB32 at which point de qi sensation was elicited. Patients were assessed using the Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) to measure degree of xerostomia; the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck (MDASI-HN) to assess severity of symptoms and interference with daily activities; and stimulated and unstimulated salivary fl ow rates. Assessments were taken at baseline, weekly during the course of radiotherapy and then after 1 month.