Acupuncture for Lymphedema

Acupuncture for Lymphedema

A study conducted by researchers at Sloan-Kettering evaluates the usefulness and safety of acupuncture on upper-limb circumference in women with lymphedema. They note that current lymphedema treatments following conventional breast cancer treatment are not cost-effective and require ongoing care. Women diagnosed with 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. Both affected and unaffected arm circumferences were measured before and after each acupuncture treatment. Measured response was defined as ≥30% reduction in arm circumference difference between affected/unaffected arms. Researchers made monthly follow-up calls for 6 months after treatment ended to record possible complications and self-reported lymphedema status. Of the original 37 enrolled patients, 33 were evaluated; and 4 dropped-out due to scheduling conflicts. The average reduction in arm circumference difference was 0.90 cm (95%). Thirty-three percent (11 patients) demonstrated a ≥30% reduction after acupuncture. 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. Researchers concluded that acupuncture for BCRL, indeed, appears safe and may reduce arm circumference. They recommend study result confirmation by running further randomized trials.

 

The study was published here.