Author:
Ge Long,Wang Qi,He Yihan,Wu Darong,Zhou Qi,Xu Nenggui,Yang Kehu,Chen Yaolong,Zhang Anthony Lin,Hua Haiqing,Huang Jinchang,Hui Ka-Kit,Liang Fanrong,Wang Linpeng,Xu Bin,Yang Yufei,Zhang Weimin,Zhao Baixiao,Zhu Bing,Guo Xinfeng,Xue Charlie Changli,Zhang Haibo,Xue Charlie Changli,Zhang Haibo,Guo Xinfeng,Wu Darong,Yang Kehu,Chen Yaolong,Ge Long,He Runsen,Hua Haiqing,Huang Jinchang,Hui Ka-Kit,Liang Fanrong,Pan Zuodi,Wang Linpeng,Xu Bin,Xu Nenggui,Yang Yufei,Zhang Anthony Lin,Zhang Weimin,Zhao Baixiao,Zhu Bing,Wang Qi,He Yihan,Zhou Qi,Yang Lihong,Liu Shaonan,Li Jieyun,Hou Liangying,Zhang Qian,Lai Honghao,Chen Xueling,Deng Xueyi,Kang Fuqin,
Abstract
Abstract
Background
This study aims to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with moderate and severe cancer pain.
Methods
The development of this guideline was triggered by a systematic review published in JAMA Oncology in 2020. We searched databases and websites for evidence on patient preferences and values, and other resources of using acupuncture for treatment of cancer pain. Recommendations were developed through a Delphi consensus of an international multidisciplinary panel including 13 western medicine oncologists, Chinese medicine/acupuncture clinical practitioners, and two patient representatives. The certainty of evidence, patient preferences and values, resources, and other factors were fully considered in formulating the recommendations. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was employed to rate the certainty of evidence and the strength of recommendations.
Results
The guideline proposed three recommendations: (1) a strong recommendation for the treatment of acupuncture rather than no treatment to relieve pain in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain; (2) a weak recommendation for the combination treatments with acupuncture/acupressure to reduce pain intensity, decrease the opioid dose, and alleviate opioid-related side effects in moderate to severe cancer pain patients who are using analgesics; and (3) a strong recommendation for acupuncture in breast cancer patients to relieve their aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.
Conclusion
This proposed guideline provides recommendations for the management of patients with cancer pain. The small sample sizes of evidence limit the strength of the recommendations and highlights the need for additional research.
Funder
National Key R&D Program, China National Centre for Biotechnology Development
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Complementary and alternative medicine,Pharmacology
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