Effects of auricular acupuncture on appetite in patients with advanced cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over half of patients with advanced cancer report appetite loss or anorexia. Previous studies have shown the benefit of acupuncture for cancer-related nausea and vomiting, but limited evidence exists for its role in appetite improvement. Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of auricular acupuncture to improve appetite for cancer patients with advanced disease.

Methods

We performed a two-arm parallel, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of auricular acupuncture versus usual care control in patients with stage III or IV cancer who experienced appetite loss. The primary outcome was changed in the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ; score range, 4-20) between two groups from baseline to weeks 2 and 4, with secondary outcomes incl

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8591677 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature