Acupuncture as An Adjunct for Sedation during Lithotripsy

Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Effects of Preoperative Acupuncture in High Anxiety Patients Undergoing Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty

Background: Preoperative state anxiety is a known predisposing factor for enhanced postoperative pain and hindered recovery following total knee or hip replacement. Acupuncture administered preoperatively has been associated with reduced anxiety in surgical studies, yet evidence of its efficacy in the orthopedic surgical setting is limited. Objective: This study investigated the effects of preoperative acupuncture on preoperative anxiety and pain and compared acute postoperative pain between acupuncture and control patient groups. Design: Parallel-arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Bone and Joint Institute, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT. Participants: Sixty middle-aged and elderly men and women with clinically validated preoperative anxiety undergoing elective total hip or knee replacement. Intervention: One-to-one randomization to preoperative acupuncture (n = 30) or no acupuncture treatment (n = 30) on the day of surgery. Coprimary outcomes: Anxiety before and after preoperative acupuncture using the visual analog scale and postsurgical pain using the numeric pain scale. Secondary outcomes: Incidence of acupuncture-related complications, pain before and after acupuncture, nausea and vomiting incidence, opioid consumption, anxiolytics and antiemetics use, and patient satisfaction. Results: Patients reported lower anxiety and pain preoperatively following acupuncture compared with before treatment (both p < 0.001). Postoperatively, the acupuncture group reported lower pain in the first 3 h than the control group, although this difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences in postoperative complications or patient satisfaction were observed between the study groups. Most patients were satisfied with the acupuncture treatment and reported a likelihood of considering preoperative acupuncture for future surgeries. Conclusions: These preliminary findings support that preoperative acupuncture is a safe and effective means to reduce perioperative anxiety and pain in patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement surgery. Additional studies should be conducted to best determine the value of preoperative acupuncture in total hip or knee patients presenting with surgically related anxiety. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (10/31/2023, NCT06099223).

Intraoperative transcutaneous electroacupoint stimulation on early postoperative fatigue in patients with Parkinson's disease undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery

Background

In this clinical trial, we evaluated the effects of transcutaneous electroacupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative fatigue (POF) in Parkinson disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.

Methods

A total 60 PD patients undergoing DBS surgery were enrolled. They were randomized to receive either electrical stimulation [alternative frequency 2/10 Hz, dense and disperse, intensity adjusted to the maximum tolerated by the participants (6-15 mAmp)] via surface electrodes (TEAS group) or surface electrodes only without electrical stimulation (Con group) at bilateral Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupuncture points. All participants received their assigned intervention (TEAS or Con) during the 1st stage of surgery [(except during microelectrode recording (MER)] and the entire 2nd stage of surgery. Intraoperative anesthetic requirements were adjusted based on bispectral index (BIS) monitor. POF was assessed by Christensen fatigue scales (ChrFS), along with Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) postoperatively over a 7-day-period. We recorded the usage of rescue analgesics and anti-emetics.

Results

Fifty-nine patients' datasets were included for final analyses. Fewer patients in TEAS experienced severe POF (defined as ChrFS ≥6) at T3 than those in the Con group (TEAS vs. Con: 7 vs. 22, p < 0.001). During the 1st stage of surgery, more patients in Con group required dexmedetomidine infusion (TEAS vs. Con: 2 vs. 6; P < 0.01). Total dosages of propofol and remifanil during the 2nd stage of surgery were TEAS vs. Con: 374.7 ± 61.2 vs 421.5 ± 81.9; p < 0.001 and 572.3 ± 82.0 vs. 662 ± 148.2; P < 0.001, respectively. Postoperative rescue analgesics (TEAS vs. Con: 2 vs. 6; P < 0.001) were used less in the TEAS group. TEAS patients reported better POF, MMSE and QoR15 scores than those in the Con group during most of the assessment period.

Conclusions

Intraoperative TEAS decreased the severity of POF, reduced intraoperative anesthetic requirements and facilitated post-DBS recovery in this group of PD patients.

Recent Advances in Therapeutic Modalities Against Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Future Epigenetic Landscape

Background: Lymphedema is a significant postsurgical complication observed in the majority of breast cancer patients. These multifactorial etiopathogenesis have a significant role in the development of novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and the development of novel therapies. This review aims to ascertain the epigenetic alterations that lead to breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), multiple pathobiological events, and the underlying genetic predisposing factors, signaling cascades pertinent to the lapses in effective prognosis/diagnosis, and finally to develop a suitable therapeutic regimen. Methods and Results: We have performed a literature search in public databases such as PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine and screened several published reports. Search words such as epigenetics to induce BCRL, prognosis/diagnosis, primary lymphedema, secondary lymphedema, genetic predisposing factors for BRCL, conventional therapies, and surgery were used in these databases. This review described several epigenetic-based predisposing factors and the pathophysiological consequences of BCRL, which affect the overall quality of life, and the interplay of these events could foster the progression of lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. Prognosis/diagnostic and therapy lapses for treating BCRL are highly challenging due to genetic and anatomical variations, alteration in the lymphatic vessel contractions, and variable expression of several factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-E and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) in breast cancer survivors. Conclusion: We compared the efficacy of various conventional therapies for treating BCRL as a multidisciplinary approach. Further substantial research is required to decipher underlying signaling epigenetic pathways to develop chromatin-modifying therapies pertinent to the multiple etiopathogenesis to explore the correlation between the disease pathophysiology and novel therapeutic modalities to treat BCRL.

Efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief in patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Background

This meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief in patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of acupuncture with conventional treatments were retrieved from major electronic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) until August 28, 2022. The primary outcome was the response rate (i.e., rate of pain relief), while secondary outcomes included stone-free rate, satisfaction rate, duration of ESWL, peri-/post-procedural pain score, and risk of adverse events.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies involving 1,220 participants published between 1993 and 2022 were analyzed. Pooled results indicated that acupuncture had a better response rate compared to conventional treatments (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06-1.3, p = 0.003, seven trials, n = 832). Despite no difference in ESWL duration (MD = 0.02 min, 95% CI: -1.53 to 1.57, p = 0.98, three trials, n = 141), stone-free rate (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1-1.25, p = 0.06, six trials, n = 498), and satisfaction rate (RR = 1.51, 95% CI: 0.92-2.47, p = 0.1, three trials, n = 334) between the two groups, the acupuncture group had a lower risk of adverse events (RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.33-0.79, p = 0.003, five trials, n = 327), peri- (MD = -1.91 points, 94% CI: -3.53 to -0.28, p = 0.02, four trials, n = 258 patient) and post-procedural (MD = -1.07, 95% CI: -1.77 to -0.36, p = 0.003, four trials, n = 335) pain score.

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis showed that the use of acupuncture in patients receiving ESWL was associated with a higher pain relief rate and a lower risk of adverse events, suggesting feasibility of its use in this clinical setting.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022356327.

Auricular stimulation for preoperative anxiety - A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that auricular stimulation (AS) is safe and effective in treatment of preoperative anxiety; however, a systematic evaluation is lacking. The aim was to summarize the evidence on efficacy and safety of AS for preoperative anxiety, as well as for other outcomes.

DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review of RCTs including patients from all available populations. The search was done through MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ISI Web of Science and Scopus Database from inception to June 2020. Study selection and data extraction were performed in by 2 independent reviewers with ability to resolve disagreements by a third author. Meta-analyses as well as the risk of bias and evidence quality assessments were performed according to the Cochrane 6.2, 2021 handbook recommendations.

INTERVENTIONS

We compared AS with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for different outcomes.

MEASUREMENTS

We assessed the repercussion of the evaluated interventions over anxiety scores and their safety, physiological parameters, perioperative medications requirement and intensity of postoperative pain.

MAIN RESULTS

We have included 15 studies with 1603 patients. AS has presented reduced anxiety scores as compared to the sham control (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) -0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.09 to -0.36, p < 0.0001; 8 trials; 701 patients; heterogeneity: I² 80%; GRADE: moderate certainty) and to no intervention (SMD -1.01, 95% CI -1.58 to -0.45, p = 0.0004; 4 trials; 420 patients; heterogeneity: I² 84%; GRADE: very low certainty). There was no difference between AS and benzodiazepines (SMD -0.03; 95% CI: -0.34 to 0.28; p = 0.84; 3 trials; 158 patients; heterogeneity: I² 0%; GRADE: very low certainty). No trials reported serious adverse effects of AS.

CONCLUSIONS

AS may be useful in treatment of preoperative anxiety. Due to heterogenous certainty in effect estimates, further research is needed to clarify the actual efficacy of AS for preoperative anxiety.

Can acupuncture therapy reduce preoperative anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture therapy has shown promise for effectively relieving preoperative anxiety. Nevertheless, previous findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inconsistent and must be examined in detail.

OBJECTIVE

This study systematically evaluates the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for preoperative anxiety as well as the quality of evidence supporting this application.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Data Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP, Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library Databases were queried from their inception to 19, February 2020, using keywords such as "acupuncture therapy," "preoperative" and "anxioty." Manual searches expanded the search breadth and included conference abstracts and other reference lists.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

RCTs were included in the current study if they contained a comparison between a group of anxiety patients that received acupuncture therapy and a control group that received sham acupuncture.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Literature was reviewed, and various articles were selected using the NoteExpress 3.2.0 software. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for data aggregation and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment was used to evaluate the quality of the study outcomes.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in the review, containing a total of 916 patients. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, patients who received acupuncture therapy had reduced State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAI-S) score (mean difference [MD] = -9.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-13.19 to -4.96], P < 0.0001) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (MD = -1.37, 95% CI [-2.29 to -0.45], P = 0.003). However, for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, there was no difference between the two groups (MD = -3.98, 95% CI [-12.89 to 4.92], P = 0.38). Further, the GRADE assessment demonstrated that the STAI-S was of moderate quality, the VAS of low quality and the HAMA of very low quality.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture therapy may be able to decrease anxiety in preoperative patients, but the results need to be further verified due to the small sample sizes and the low quality of evidence to date.

Role of Complementary Medicine (Music, Acupuncture, Acupressure, TENS and Audio-Visual Distraction) in Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL): A Systematic Review From EAU Sections of Urolithiasis (EULIS) and Uro-Technology (ESUT)

We performed a systematic review to look at the role of alternative or complementary medicine such as music, acupressure, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and audiovisual distractions to decrease analgesia requirement and alleviate anxiety during SWL. Twenty-three papers(2439 participants) were included: Music (n = 1056.6%), Acupuncture (n = 517.7%), Acupressure (n = 13.8%), TENS (n = 617.2%), and audiovisual distraction (n = 14.6%). Most of the studies showed that complementary therapy, lowered pain, and anxiety with higher patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo the procedure. With its feasibility and convenience, urological guidelines need to endorse it, and more should be done to promote its use in outpatient urological procedures.

Feasibility of Acupuncture to Induce Sleep for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Testing

Purpose Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing is often performed under general anesthesia for children unable to complete behavioral audiologic evaluation. Alternatively, acupuncture treatment may be considered appropriate for BAER. Reports of acupuncture treatment in pediatric patients are scarce but are needed to demonstrate effectiveness. This study had 2 main objectives: (a) to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of acupuncture to achieve sleep to perform diagnostic BAER testing in medically complex (Cohort I) and nonmedically complex (Cohort II) children and (b) to assess acceptability to parents and audiologists of acupuncture as an alternative to anesthesia for BAER testing. Method A prospective feasibility study at Seattle Children's Hospital Outpatient Audiology Clinic from August 2015 through December 2018 was performed. A total of 31 pediatric patients were included. The median age for Cohort I was 29 months (interquartile range: 19-37 months), and the median age for Cohort II was 25.5 months (interquartile range: 16-32 months). Variables included number of BAER thresholds obtained, sleep indicators, and acceptability. The cost of BAER with acupuncture and the cost of BAER under anesthesia were compared. Results Acupuncture treatment effectively contributed to an adequate sleep state to obtain BAER results for most patients in both cohorts. Across cohorts, most patients (81%) fell asleep after acupuncture treatment. Complete test results were obtained in 48% of patients. Audiologists and parents reported high satisfaction rates with this procedure (87%). There were no adverse safety effects. Acupuncture treatment was less costly than anesthesia for BAER testing. Conclusions Acupuncture to induce sleep for BAER testing is effective, safe, and cost-efficient in small samples of medically and nonmedically complex pediatric patients. This procedure allowed earlier detection of hearing status and avoided potential adverse effects of anesthesia. Audiologists and parents reported that acupuncture treatment was an acceptable alternative to anesthesia for the BAER procedure.

Controlling Practitioner–patient Relationships in Acupuncture Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Background

In trials, ‘therapist intensive’ complex interventions are typically delivered over time, during which a relationship between the practitioner and participant may develop. Such relationships are sometimes criticised as obscuring any ‘true’ treatment effect. Limiting interactions is one strategy that might be used to try to control for the effect of a therapeutic relationship.

Objectives

We conducted systematic review into the rationale, methods and effects of constraining relationships in controlled trials and cohort studies of acupuncture, including studies published before 2008 with an update citation search in 2010.

Methods

We searched six databases without keyword restrictions. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the effect of relationship constraint on pain outcomes.

Results

Eighty-one of 785 (10.3%) trials reported constraining relationships. Most did not state the reason for constraint, describe the nature of the limitation, provide information on how the constrained relationship was monitored or note protocol adherence. Where a reason was reported, this was primarily to maintain participant blinding, rarely was it stated that the constraint was to control the therapeutic relationship. We found no evidence of an effect of constraint on pain outcomes (percentage heterogeneity explained, p=0.89). These results were robust to variation in trial quality and design.

Conclusions

Acupuncture trials appear to be constrained mostly to try to prevent participant unblinding to their allocated treatment, not to control the therapeutic relationship. The apparent lack of monitoring and negligible effects on pain outcomes of the included trials indicate the need for more high-quality randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of constraint.

Comparison of Two Different Distraction Methods Affecting the Level of Pain and Anxiety during Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can cause pain and anxiety for patients. Despite the use of many distraction methods to reduce pain and anxiety, there is no study on the use of stress balls during lithotripsy.

AIM

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of use of stress balls and music therapy to reduce pain and anxiety during lithotripsy.

DESIGN

This was a single-center, parallel randomized controlled trial.

SETTINGS

The study involved the lithotripsy unit in a training and research hospital in Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 120 patients who had kidney or ureter stones.

METHODS

The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (group 1) received no interference, whereas experimental groups received stress ball (group 2) and music (group 3) interventions during lithotripsy, respectively. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, visual analog scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in regard to anxiety and pain mean scores (p > .05). No statistically significant difference was found between anxiety scores before and after lithotripsy in each group (p > .05), whereas there was a statistically significant difference between pain scores during and after lithotripsy (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Based on the present study, no statistically significant difference was found between the use of stress balls and music in reducing pain and anxiety during lithotripsy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of stress balls used during lithotripsy.

Effect of Music on Outpatient Urological Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from the European Association of Urology Section of Uro-Technology

PURPOSE

Music is a practical, inexpensive and harmless analgesic and anxiolytic. An increasing number of original studies have been performed to investigate its potential application in urology. Our aim was to identify the effect of music on outpatient based urological procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We systematically reviewed the effect of using music during all reported outpatient urology procedures, including transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, shock wave lithotripsy, urodynamic studies, percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement and cystoscopy. Data were included on all randomized trials from 1980 to 2017 and no language restrictions were applied.

RESULTS

Included in analysis were 16 randomized studies in which 972 of 1,950 patients (49.8%) were exposed to music during an outpatient procedure. The procedures included transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy in 4 studies in a total of 286 patients, shock wave lithotripsy in 6 studies in a total of 1,023, cystoscopy in 3 studies in a total of 331, urodynamics in 2 studies in a total of 210 and percutaneous nephrostomy in 1 study in a total of 100. All studies incorporated a visual analog score to measure pain. Anxiety was measured by STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) in 13 studies and by a visual analog scale in 2. While 14 of the 16 studies showed a reduction in self-reported pain, a reduction in anxiety was seen in 14. When using music, overall procedural satisfaction was better in 9 studies and patient willingness to repeat the procedure was also higher in 7. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in visual analog scale and STAI findings across all studies (p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review demonstrated a beneficial effect of music on urological outpatient procedures. Music seemed to decrease anxiety and pain. It might serve as a useful adjunct to increase procedural satisfaction and patient willingness to undergo the procedure again.

Analgesia for patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy for urinary stones - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the first line treatment modality for a significant proportion of patients with upper urinary tracts stones. Simple analgesics, opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are all suitable agents but the relative efficacy and tolerability of these agents is uncertain.

Objectives

To determine the efficacy of the different types of analgesics used for the control of pain during SWL for urinary stones.

Materials and Methods

We searched the Cochrane Renal Group’s Specialised Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and also hand-searched reference lists of relevant articles (Figure-1). Randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) comparing the use of any opioid, simple analgesic or NSAID during SWL were included. These were compared with themselves, each-other or placebo. We included any route or form of administration (bolus, PCA). We excluded agents that were used for their sedative qualities. Data were extracted and assessed for quality independently by three reviewers. Meta-analyses have been performed where possible. When not possible, descriptive analyses of variables were performed. Dichotomous outcomes are reported as relative risk (RR) and measurements on continuous scales are reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Overall, we included 9 RCTs (539 participants from 6 countries). Trial agents included 7 types of NSAIDs, 1 simple analgesic and 4 types of opioids. There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy or tolerability between a simple analgesic (paracetamol) and an NSAID (lornoxicam). When comparing the same simple analgesic with an opioid (tramadol), both agents provided safe and effective analgesia for the purpose of SWL with no significant differences. There were no significant differences in pain scores between NSAIDs or opioids in three studies. Adequate analgesia could be achieved more often for opioids than for NSAIDs (RR 0.358; 95% CI 043 to 0.77, P=0.0002) but consumed doses of rescue analgesia were similar between NSAIDs and opioids in two studies (P=0.58, >0.05). In terms of tolerability, there is no difference in post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) between the groups (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.24 to 2.17, P=0.55). One study compared outcomes between two types of NSAIDs (diclofenac versus dexketoprofen). There were no significant differences in any of our pre-defined outcomes measures.

Conclusion

Simple analgesics, NSAIDs and opioids can all reduce the pain associated with shock wave lithotripsy to a level where the procedure is tolerated. Whilst there are no compelling differences in safety or efficacy of simple analgesics and NSAIDs, analgesia is described as adequate more often for opioids than NSAIDs.

Sham Electroacupuncture Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials

Sham electroacupuncture (EA) control is commonly used to evaluate the specific effects of EA in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). However, establishing an inert and concealable sham EA control remains methodologically challenging. Here, we aimed to systematically investigate the sham EA methods. Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to April 2015. Ten out of the 17 sham EA methods were identified from 94 RCTs involving 6134 participants according to three aspects: needle location, depth of needle insertion and electrical stimulation. The top three most frequently used types were sham EA type A, type L and type O ordinally. Only 24 out of the 94 trials reported credibility tests in six types of sham EA methods and the results were mainly as follows: sham EA type A (10/24), type B (5/24) and type Q (5/24). Compared with sham EA controls, EA therapy in 56.2% trials reported the specific effects, of which the highest positive rate was observed in type N (3/4), type F (5/7), type D (4/6) and type M (2/3). In conclusion, several sham EA types were identified as a promising candidate for further application in RCTs. Nonetheless, more evidence for inert and concealable sham EA control methods is needed.

Efficacy of acupuncture in reducing preoperative anxiety: a meta-analysis

Background. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce preoperative anxiety in several previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In order to assess the preoperative anxiolytic efficacy of acupuncture therapy, this study conducted a meta-analysis of an array of appropriate studies. Methods. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL) were searched up to February 2014. In the meta-analysis data were included from RCT studies in which groups receiving preoperative acupuncture treatment were compared with control groups receiving a placebo for anxiety. Results. Fourteen publications (N = 1,034) were included. Six publications, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S), reported that acupuncture interventions led to greater reductions in preoperative anxiety relative to sham acupuncture (mean difference = 5.63, P < .00001, 95% CI [4.14, 7.11]). Further eight publications, employing visual analogue scales (VAS), also indicated significant differences in preoperative anxiety amelioration between acupuncture and sham acupuncture (mean difference = 19.23, P < .00001, 95% CI [16.34, 22.12]). Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy aiming at reducing preoperative anxiety has a statistically significant effect relative to placebo or nontreatment conditions. Well-designed and rigorous studies that employ large sample sizes are necessary to corroborate this finding.

Psychiatric benefits of integrative therapies in patients with cancer

Integrative oncology uses non-pharmacological adjuncts to mainstream care to manage physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. Depression, anxiety, fatigue and pain are among the common, often burdensome symptoms that can occur in clusters, deplete patient morale, interfere with treatment plans, and hamper recovery. Patients already seek various modalities on their own to address a broad range of problems. Legitimate complementary therapies offered at major cancer institutions improve quality of life, speed recovery, and optimize patient support. They also augment the benefits of psychiatric interventions, due to their ability to increase self-awareness and improve physical and psychological conditioning. Further, these integrated therapies provide lifelong tools and develop skills that patients use well after treatment to develop self-care regimens. The active referral of patients to integrative therapies achieves three important objectives: complementary care is received from therapists experienced in working with cancer patients, visits become part of the medical record, allowing treatment teams to guide individuals in maximizing benefit, and patients are diverted from useless or harmful 'alternatives.' We review the reciprocal physical and psychiatric benefits of exercise, mind-body practices, massage, acupuncture, and music therapy for cancer survivors, and suggest how their use can augment mainstream psychiatric interventions.

Acupuncture in the treatment of upper-limb lymphedema: results of a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Current treatments for lymphedema after breast cancer treatment are expensive and require ongoing intervention. Clinical experience and our preliminary published results suggest that acupuncture is safe and potentially useful. This study evaluates the safety and potential efficacy of acupuncture on upper-limb circumference in women with lymphedema.

METHODS

Women with a clinical diagnosis of breast cancer−related lymphedema (BCRL) for 0.5-5 years and with affected arm circumference ≥2 cm larger than unaffected arm received acupuncture treatment twice weekly for 4 weeks. Affected and unaffected arm circumferences were measured before and after each acupuncture treatment. Response, defined as ≥30% reduction in circumference difference between affected/unaffected arms, was assessed. Monthly follow-up calls for 6 months thereafter were made to document any complications and self-reported lymphedema status.

RESULTS

Among 37 enrolled patients, 33 were evaluated; 4 discontinued due to time constraints. Mean reduction in arm circumference difference was 0.90 cm (95% CI, 0.72-1.07; P < .0005). Eleven patients (33%) exhibited a reduction of ≥30% after acupuncture treatment. Seventy-six percent of patients received all treatments; 21% missed 1 treatment, and another patient missed 2 treatments. During the treatment period, 14 of the 33 patients reported minor complaints, including mild local bruising or pain/tingling. There were no serious adverse events and no infections or severe exacerbations after 255 treatment sessions and 6 months of follow-up interviews.

CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture for BCRL appears safe and may reduce arm circumference. Although these results await confirmation in a randomized trial, acupuncture can be considered for women with no other options for sustained arm circumference reduction. Cancer 2013;119:2455-2461. © 2013 American Cancer Society.

Adjuvant therapy after surgical stone management

The aim of this article was to review the most widely researched adjuvant medical therapies for the surgical management of urolithiasis. Articles were identified and reviewed from PubMed and Medline databases with MeSH headings focusing on the various surgical treatments of urolithiasis and adjuvant therapy. Additional articles were retrieved from references and conference proceedings. Surgical treatments reviewed included shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Adjuvant therapy was considered medical or complementary therapy as an adjunct to these surgical interventions. Adjuvant therapy for the surgical management of urolithiasis has been documented to increase stone-free rates, reduce stone remission rates, prevent renal damage, and decrease postoperative morbidity. A variety of agents have been studied, ranging from antioxidants to alpha-blockers and to alkalinizing agents. Additionally, there is increasing interest in complementary adjuvant therapy (ie, acupuncture). Adjuvant therapy is a fertile area for research in the surgical management of urolithiasis. The optimal agents have yet to be determined and therefore further investigation is warranted and necessary.

Surface electrostimulation of acupuncture points for sedation of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit--a pilot study

BACKGROUND

This is a pilot study to investigate the effects of electrostimulation of acupuncture points on sedation and the dose of sedatives in the Intensive Care Unit.

METHODS

Electrostimulation of acupuncture points was performed on 12 critically ill patients requiring sedation for mechanical ventilation. Electrostimulation was applied by point surface electrodes at LI4, ST36, HT7 and LR3 points for 20 minutes every hour for 12 hours using dense dispersed mode with a current frequency of 10-100 Hz and maximum intensity of 10 mA. All patients were sedated with propofol and alfentanil as required. The dose of propofol was reduced by 10mg/hour provided the patient remained sedated according to our guidelines. Sedation and analgesia scores, dose of sedative and analgesics drugs, respiratory rate, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and compliance with the ventilator were recorded before electrostimulation of acupuncture points, and hourly thereafter for 12 hours.

RESULTS

There was significant reduction in the median propofol consumption from 145 mg/hour (range 30-250) to 15 mg/hour (range 0-250) (P<0.05), without any significant change in sedation scores or analgesia scores. The haemodynamic and respiratory variables remained stable. All patients were compliant with the ventilator.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study showed significant reduction in the dose of propofol required for sedation in critically ill patients following surface electrostimulation of acupuncture points, without any adverse effects. A randomised controlled trial is warranted.