ACUPUNCTURE FOR RADIATION-INDUCED XEROSTOMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER: A PILOT STUDY

Background. This pilot study evaluated if acupuncture can alleviate radiation-induced xerostomia among patients with cancer. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of acupuncture on salivary flow and quality of life (QOL). Methods. Nineteen patients received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Results. Xerostomia inventory (XI) and patient benefit questionnaire (PBQ) scores were significantly better after acupuncture on weeks 4 and 8 than at baseline (XI: p = .0004 and .0001; PBQ: p = .0004 and .0011, respectively). For QOL at weeks 4 and 8, there was a significant difference for questions related to head/neck cancer (p=.04 and .006, respectively). At week 8, there was a significant difference in physical wellbeing (p=.04). At weeks 5 and 8, there were significant differences in the total score (p=.04 and .03, respectively). Conclusions. Acupuncture was effective for radiation-induced xerostomia in this small pilot study. Further research is needed. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 31: 1360-1368, 2009