Assessing the feasibility of using acupuncture and moxibustion to improve quality of life for cancer survivors with upper body lymphoedema

PurposeWithin a three-step mixed-methods study to investigate using acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) in the management of cancer treatment-related upper body lymphoedema, Step 2 obtained preliminary data about: 1) whether acu/moxa can improve quality of life, 2) the most troublesome symptoms, and 3) adverse effects.Methods and sampleAn exploratory single-arm observational clinical study included breast (BC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with mild-to-moderate uncomplicated lymphoedema for ≥3 months, ≥3 months post active-cancer treatment, no active cancer disease, undergoing routine lymphoedema maintenance. Participants received seven individualised treatments (S1), and six optional additional treatments (S2). MYMOP, SF-36 and PANAS were administered at baseline, during each series, and at follow-up 4 and 12 weeks after end-of-treatment. The primary outcome was change in MYMOP scores at the end of each series.Key resultsOf 35 participants recruited, 30 completed S1 and S2, 3 completed S1, 2 were lost to the study. Mean MYMOP profile change scores for BC participants were 1.28 points improvement on a 7-point scale (sd = 0.93, p < 0.0001, n = 25) for S1; and 1.41 for S2 (sd = 0.94, p < 0.0001, n = 24). S1 HNC change scores were 2.29 points improvement (sd = 0.62, p < 0.0001, n = 7); and 0.94 for S2 (sd = 0.95, p = 0.06, n = 6). Changes in some SF-36 scores for BC participants were significant to 4 weeks after treatment. No serious adverse effects were reported.ConclusionThis small study suggests acu/moxa is an acceptable adjunct to usual care for cancer survivors with lymphoedema. Further rigorous research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of acu/moxa in reducing the symptom burden.