Study on the effect of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy

The aim of the present study under Eran Ben-Arye was to investigate the effect of acupuncture in combination with other complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) methods on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and quality of life in cancer patients.

In this prospective, pragmatic and patient preference-based study, patients with CIPN were treated either with acupuncture and CIM therapies (intervention group) or with standard care only (control group) over six weeks. Within the intervention group, participants were randomly assigned to either twice-weekly acupuncture treatment (Group A) or acupuncture in combination with manual movement or mind-body CIM therapies (Group B) . The severity of CIPN was assessed at baseline and after six weeks using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Taxane (FACT-Tax). Further quality of life parameters were recorded using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) and the Measure Yourself Concerns and Well-being questionnaire. Perception thresholds were examined using the Von Frey method.

Of 168 participants, 136 underwent the intervention, while 32 patients remained in the control group. FACT-Tax scores improved significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group, as did emotional quality of life, FACT-Tax scores for numbness/tingling in the hands and discomfort, and physical functioning according to the EORTC. Both intervention groups (A and B) showed significant improvements in FACT-Tax physical quality of life, FACT-Tax total score, foot pain and EORTC pain scores.

Acupuncture, both alone and in combination with CIM methods, can alleviate CIPN-related symptoms during oncological treatment. The effects are particularly pronounced for numbness, tingling, pain and discomfort in the hands and physical functioning.