Assessing the feasibility of using acupuncture and moxibustion to improve quality of life for @entity5 survivors with upper XXXX .

@entity5 @entity135 @entity1 @entity1053
PURPOSE: Within a three-step mixed-methods study to investigate using acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) in the management of @entity5 treatment-related upper @entity1053 , 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 SAMPLE: An exploratory single-arm observational clinical study included breast (BC) and @entity135 ( @entity135 ) survivors with mild-to-moderate uncomplicated lymphoedema for >= 3 months, >= 3 months post active- @entity5 treatment, no active @entity5 , undergoing routine lymphoedema maintenance. @entity1 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 RESULTS: Of 35 @entity1 recruited, 30 completed S1 and S2, 3 completed S1, 2 were lost to the study. Mean MYMOP profile change scores for BC @entity1 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 @entity135 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 @entity1 were significant to 4 weeks after treatment. No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: This small study suggests acu/moxa is an acceptable adjunct to usual care for @entity5 survivors with lymphoedema. Further rigorous research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of acu/moxa in reducing the symptom burden.
