Efficacy of acupuncture for a cough-related symptom cluster in patients with lung cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Zhang CX, Bu MR, Wu XM, Liao RR, Wei JH, Zhou J, Ye ZJ · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · 2024 June
DOI 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102598
Objective
To investigate the effect of acupuncture on cough, expectoration, and shortness of breath in patients with lung cancer.
Conclusions
Acupuncture using LU7, LU9, BL13, and BL20 can relieve cough in patients with lung cancer but does not relieve expectoration or shortness of breath.
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Insights
Acupuncture alongside routine nursing reduced cough in people with lung cancer, without improving expectoration or shortness of breath.
Researchers randomly assigned lung cancer patients to receive either routine nursing alone or routine nursing plus seven days of acupuncture at four specified points. They assessed cough, expectoration, and shortness of breath before and after treatment using a lung cancer symptom questionnaire, then compared changes between groups.
Patients receiving acupuncture showed greater improvement in cough than those receiving routine nursing alone. However, acupuncture did not produce meaningful improvements in expectoration or shortness of breath.
