Original Article

Acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: A pilot study

  1. M. Kay Garcia LAc, DrPH1,
  2. Joseph S. Chiang MS, MD2,
  3. Lorenzo Cohen PhD3,
  4. Meide Liu LAc4,
  5. J. Lynn Palmer PhD5,
  6. David I. Rosenthal MD6,
  7. Qi Wei MS3,
  8. Samuel Tung MS7,
  9. Congjun Wang PhD7,
  10. Thomas Rahlfs MD2,
  11. Mark S. Chambers MS, DMD8,*

Article first published online: 17 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1002/hed.21110

Issue

Head & Neck

Head & Neck

Volume 31, Issue 10, pages 1360–1368, October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Garcia, M. K., Chiang, J. S., Cohen, L., Liu, M., Palmer, J. L., Rosenthal, D. I., Wei, Q., Tung, S., Wang, C., Rahlfs, T. and Chambers, M. S. (2009), Acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: A pilot study. Head Neck, 31: 1360–1368. doi: 10.1002/hed.21110

Author Information

  1. 1

    Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  2. 2

    Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  3. 3

    Department of Behavioral Science/Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  4. 4

    Place… of wellness, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  5. 5

    Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  6. 6

    Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  7. 7

    Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

  8. 8

    Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

*Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 17 APR 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 30 JAN 2009

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Keywords:

  • acupuncture;
  • xerostomia;
  • dry mouth;
  • radiation-induced xerostomia;
  • salivary flow

Abstract

Background

This pilot study evaluated if acupuncture can alleviate radiation-induced xerostomia among patients with cancer. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of acupuncture on salivary flow and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Nineteen patients received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks.

Results

Xerostomia inventory (XI) and patient benefit questionnaire (PBQ) scores were significantly better after acupuncture on weeks 4 and 8 than at baseline (XI: p = .0004 and .0001; PBQ: p = .0004 and .0011, respectively). For QOL at weeks 4 and 8, there was a significant difference for questions related to head/neck cancer (p = .04 and .006, respectively). At week 8, there was a significant difference in physical well-being (p = .04). At weeks 5 and 8, there were significant differences in the total score (p = .04 and .03, respectively).

Conclusions

Acupuncture was effective for radiation-induced xerostomia in this small pilot study. Further research is needed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009

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