Effectiveness of Acupuncture Treatment on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot, Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Iravani S, Kazemi Motlagh AH, Emami Razavi SZ, Shahi F, Wang J, Hou L, Sun W, Afshari Fard MR, Aghili M, Karimi M, Rezaeizadeh H, Zhao B · Pain Research and Management · 2020 June 29
DOI 10.1155/2020/2504674
Objective
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Conclusions
Acupuncture was significantly effective and safe for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and was more effective than vitamin B1 and gabapentin.
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Insights
Acupuncture relieved chemotherapy-related nerve damage symptoms more effectively than vitamin B one and gabapentin, while producing greater patient satisfaction.
In this pilot randomised controlled study, adults with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were assigned to receive either repeated acupuncture sessions over four weeks or daily vitamin B one and gabapentin treatment. Researchers assessed symptom severity, sensory nerve damage grading, nerve conduction, treatment satisfaction, and safety during treatment and follow-up.
Both treatments reduced neuropathy symptoms over time, but acupuncture produced greater improvements in symptom severity and sensory neuropathy grading. Acupuncture also improved most nerve conduction measures, whereas medication did not show comparable neurophysiological improvement. Participants receiving acupuncture reported higher satisfaction, and the treatment was considered safe.
