Use of acupuncture to alleviate side effects in radiation oncology: Current evidence and future directions.

Adv Radiat Oncol. 2016 Aug 18;1(4):344-350. doi: 10.1016/j.adro.2016.08.002. eCollection 2016 Oct-Dec. Asadpour R1,2, Meng Z3, Kessel KA1,4, Combs SE1,4,2. Author information 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, München, Germany. 2 Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Munich, Germany. 3 Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China. 4 Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute of Innovative Radiotherapy, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany. Abstract Several reports have shown that acupuncture is an effective method of complementary medicine; however, only a few of these reports have focused on oncological patients treated with radiation therapy. Most of these studies discuss a benefit of acupuncture for side-effect reduction; however, not all could demonstrate significant improvements. Thus, innovative trial designs are necessary to confirm that acupuncture can alleviate side effects related to radiation therapy. In the present manuscript, we perform a broad review and discuss pitfalls and limitations of acupuncture in parallel with standard radiation therapy, which lead the way to novel treatment concepts. PMID: 28740905 PMCID: PMC5514158 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2016.08.002 Free PMC Article Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google+