Acupuncture for pain and dysfunction after neck dissection: results of a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with cancer with a history of neck dissection. The secondary objective is to determine whether acupuncture relieves dry mouth in this population.

Patients and methods

Patients at a tertiary cancer center with chronic pain or dysfunction attributed to neck dissection were randomly assigned to weekly acupuncture versus usual care (eg, physical therapy, analgesia, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs, per patient preference or physician recommendation) for 4 weeks. The Constant-Murley score, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living, was the primary outcome measure. Xerostomia, a secondary end point, was assessed using the Xerostomia Inventory.

Results

Fifty-eight eval

SUBMITTER: Pfister DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2881730 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature