Improvement of radiation-induced xerostomia with acupuncture: A retrospective analysis

Objective

Our previous case study introduced combination acupuncture (manual, auricular and electro-acupuncture) as a treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia. The present retrospective study evaluates the effect of combination acupuncture on the severity of dry mouth and activities of daily living as related to radiation-induced xerostomia.

Design

Data was retrospectively collected from twenty-two patients with xerostomia related to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Sixteen patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed for this report. The intervention was weekly 20 min sessions of combination acupuncture. Upon reaching a plateau in symptom improvement the length in time between treatments was increased as tolerated without return of symptoms. Outcome measures included a self-reported quality of life xerostomia questionnaire completed prior to each acupuncture session and quantitative data from documented Modified Schirmer's tests.

Results

Significant improvement in dry mouth and pain occurred during the initial six weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). During this period, the mean severity of dry mouth and pain decreased by 35% and 50%, respectively (p < 0.001). After six weeks, the improvement in dry mouth and pain symptoms plateaued. This effect was maintained with intermittent acupuncture treatments.

Conclusions

Combination acupuncture significantly decreases the severity of dry mouth and pain with long lasting effects, up to six months (at the end of data collection), in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.