The Standardization of Acupuncture Treatment for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia： A Literature Review

• Published in: Chinese journal of integrative medicine Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 549 - 554
• Main Author: 李凌鑫 田光 何竟
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy - standards; Humans; Literature Research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; MEDLINE; PubMed; Radiation Injuries - complications; Reference Standards; Xerostomia - etiology; Xerostomia - therapy; 国家知识基础设施; 放射性; 文献综述; 标准化; 针刺治疗; 针灸治疗; acupuncture; acupuncture treatment protocol; radiation-induced xerostomia
• ISSN: 1672-0415; 1993-0402
• DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2145-y

Objective： To assess the relative standardization of acupuncture protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Methods： A literature search was carried out up to November 10, 2012 in the databases PubMed/ MEDLINE, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastruction with the terms： radiation-induced xerostomia, acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture therapy. Five ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works were also reviewed with the keywords ＂dry mouth, thirst, dry tongue, dry eyes and dry lips＂ to search the effective acupuncture points for dry mouth-associated symptoms in ancient China. Results： Twenty-two full-text articles relevant to acupuncture treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia were included and a total of 48 acupuncture points were searched in the 5 ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works, in which the most commonly used points were Chengjiang （CV24）, Shuigou （GV 26）, Duiduan （GV 27）, Jinjin （EX-HN 12）, and Yuye （EX-HN 13） on head and neck, Sanjian （LI 3）, Shangyang （LI 1）, Shaoshang （LU 11）, Shaoze （SI 1）, Xialian （LI 8） on hand, Fuliu （KI 7）, Dazhong （KI 4）, Zuqiaoyin （GB 44）, Taichong （LR 3）, Zhaohai （KI 6） on foot, Burong （ST 19）, Zhangmen （LR 13）, Tiantu （CV 22）, Qimen （LR 14） on abdomen, Feishu （BL 13）, Danshu （BL 19）, Xiaochaogshu （BL 27）, Ganshu （BL 18） on back, Shenmen （TF 4）, Shen （CO10, Kidney）, Yidan （CO11, Pancreas） and Pi （CO13, Spleen） on ear. Conclusion： There were considerable heterogeneities in the current acupuncture treatment protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Based on the results of the review and the personal perspectives, the authors provide a recommendation for manual acupuncture protocols in treating radiationinduced xerostomia patients with head and neck cancer.