Mallory, Molly J.

e23111 Background: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgias, as well as possibly hot flashes and fatigue, but research has been limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate real world perceived benefit of acupuncture for commonly experienced symptoms among breast cancer survivors. Methods: Breast cancer survivors who had used acupuncture for cancer- or treatment-related symptoms were identified using an ongoing prospective Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry (MCBDR) cohort. In addition, Mayo Clinic electronic health records (EHR) were queried to identify additional participants. All identified patients were mailed a survey with acupuncture-related questions. Respondents were also asked to recall their severity of arthralgia, myalgia, post-surgical pain, hot flashes, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, lymphedema, headache, and neuropathy from 1 to 5 (1 = mild, 5 = severe) before and after acupuncture treatment. Results: Acupuncture use was reported among 413 participants in MCBDR (12% of all enrollees) and 73 patients were identified in the Mayo EHR. 241 eligible women returned surveys (median age at diagnosis 50 yrs). Mean symptom severity scores decreased from before to after acupuncture by at least 1 point for all queried symptoms (Table). Conclusions: Acupuncture is frequently used by patients for a variety of breast cancer-related symptoms. Those who do pursue acupuncture usually perceive few toxicities and substantial benefits. Cost may be a barrier to treatment for some. [Table: see text]

Background Despite the significant decline in smoking rates in the USA over the last 50 years, 42 million Americans continue to smoke. Although the combination of behavioural counselling with FDA-approved medications offers the best evidence-based treatment approach, 12-month relapse rates remain at >60%. Both healthcare providers and patients are searching for alternative treatment options. Most acupuncture trials have yielded poor results for smoking cessation; however, most trials have not used an intense treatment protocol and maintained treatment for at least 12 weeks. Methods We designed a pilot study to address these methodological problems. Twenty-eight smokers were recruited to attend two 1 h acupuncture sessions weekly for 12 weeks. Primary endpoints included completion rate, acceptability of the protocol and side effects. Secondary endpoints included carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed, 7-day point prevalence quit rates at 12 weeks and 26 weeks. Results Sixteen of the 28 patients enrolled (57%) completed 12 weeks of treatment. Of the 17 patients who completed the end-of-study questionnaire, 94% (16/17) rated the programme as helpful, and 82% noted they would recommend it to friends for smoking cessation. Three of the 28 who initially enrolled in the study were confirmed abstinent at 12 weeks (10.7%); one of the 28 (3.6%) was abstinent at 26 weeks. Conclusions A larger study with a slightly less rigorous and more acceptable treatment protocol is feasible and should be considered.

Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions associated with cancer and cancer treatments. The present study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of providing acupuncture in the hospital setting for breast cancer patients and to evaluate the short-term effect of acupuncture on stress, anxiety, and pain. This was an open label study conducted at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist and Saint Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota. A total of 20 adult breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and/or breast reconstruction were recruited and offered daily acupuncture intervention beginning postoperative day 1 and continuing for the duration of the hospital stay. Outcome measures included the Symptom Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Satisfaction Question and Was-it-Worth-it (WIWI) Questionnaire. It was found that acupuncture is a feasible option for postoperative breast cancer patients. In addition, it can significantly decrease the levels of anxiety (p = 0.0065), tension/muscular discomfort (p < 0.001) and pain (p = 0.023). The association between acupuncture and relaxation was found to be statistically borderline (p = 0.053). This feasibility study showed that acupuncture can be integrated into a busy postsurgical clinical practice. These results also suggest that acupuncture may be an important intervention in the postoperative setting for breast cancer patients.