Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on quality of life and prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with chemotherapy-related peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
Methods Fifty-four MM patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into drug group (n=28) and acupuncture and moxibustion group (n=26). Electromyography (EMG) was used to record nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and the therapeutic effect was evaluated. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) scores were recorded before and after treatment in two groups.
Results MNCV of median nerve and common peroneal nerve after treatment of two groups showed a significant difference compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The SNCV of the superficial peroneal nerve in the drug group showed a significant difference compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, FACT/GOG-NTX score of the acupuncture and moxibustion group decreased (P < 0.01). The FACT/GOG-NTX score of the drug group also decreased after treatment, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in FACT/GOG-NTX score between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05).
Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion is an effective therapy for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and can improve patients′quality of life.