He, X.R., Wang, Q., & Li, P.P. (2013). Acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14, 3067–3074.

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the auxiliary effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue (CRF)

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review and meta analysis

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Journal Full-test Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Full-text Database, and Wanfang Data
 
KEYWORDS: acupuncture, moxibustion, acupressure, cancer, carcinoma, neoplasm, fatigue
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adults older than age 18 with cancer, without bleeding disorders or other comorbid disease that would effect the data, who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy or radiation during the study.
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with cancer who did not receive chemotherapy or radiation and/or have hematological issues

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 357 studies were initially retrieved.
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: 167 articles received in-depth “sifting.”

Sample Characteristics

  • FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED =  7 prospective RCT
  • TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 804
  • KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with cancer, mean age 55 years in five trials; mean age 70 years in two trials. Two studies concentrated on breast cancer; for other studies, the cancers varied.

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment

Results

Fatigue declined over time for all groups: true acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and controls. However, no significant difference between groups was noted. Three studies looked at moxibustion lacking information on adverse effects and inadequate methodology.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that data is currently insufficient to recommend as an intervention for CRF other than when traditional interventions fail. No data exist to recommend this over conventional interventions, which are not described in this article.

Limitations

  • The article did not describe enhanced/routine care.
  • The authors described patient’s interest in interventions but never described physiology of effect for acupressure/puncture or moxibustion in CRF.

Nursing Implications

Insufficient date to recommend.

Legacy ID

4010