Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy treated with acupuncture
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can produce severe neurological deficits and neuropathic pain.
Researchers at the University Medical Center, in Hamburg, Germany, evaluated the response to acupuncture.
First, the details.
- 11 patients were assigned to a treatment group and evaluated for changes in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
- Acupuncture for 10 weeks in addition standard medical care
- Control patients who received standard medical care but no specific treatment
- Nerve conduction studies were performed.
And, the results.
- In 5 of 6 patients treated with acupuncture, nerve conduction studies improved after treatment.
- 3 of 5 patients in the control group showed no difference in nerve conduction studies.
- 1 patient improved.
- 1 showed impaired nerve conduction studies.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “ The data suggest that acupuncture has a positive effect on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The encouraging results of this pilot study justify a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy on the basis of nerve conduction studies.”
Emphasis on the second sentence.
12/11/11 22:55 JR
