57172
document
ARIX : a randomised trial of acupuncture v oral care sessions in patients with chronic xerostomia following treatment of head and neck cancer . BACKGROUND Radiation treatment of head and neck cancer can cause chronic xerostomia which impairs patients ' quality of life . The study reported here examined the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating xerostomia symptoms especially dry mouth . PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 145 patients with chronic radiation-induced xerostomia > 18 months after treatments were recruited from seven UK cancer centres . The study employed a randomised crossover design with participants receiving two group sessions of oral care education and eight of acupuncture using standardised methods . Patient-reported outcome ( PROs ) measures were completed at baseline and weeks 5 , 9 , 13 , 17 , and 21 . The primary outcome was improvement in dry mouth . OBJECTIVE saliva measurements were also carried out . RESULTS Acupuncture compared with oral care , produced significant reductions in patient reports of severe dry mouth ( OR = 2.01 , P = 0.031 ) sticky saliva ( OR = 1.67 , P = 0.048 ) , needing to sip fluids to swallow food ( OR = 2.08 , P = 0.011 ) and in waking up at night to drink ( OR = 1.71 , P = 0.013 ) . There were no significant changes in either stimulated or unstimulated saliva measurements over time . CONCLUSION Eight sessions of weekly group acupuncture compared with group oral care education provide significantly better relief of symptoms in patients suffering from chronic radiation-induced xerostomia .
57173
Intervention_Physical
acupuncture
57174
Intervention_Physical
oral care sessions
57175
Intervention_Physical
acupuncture
57176
Intervention_Educational
oral care education
57177
Intervention_Physical
acupuncture using standardised methods
57178
Intervention_Physical
Acupuncture
57179
Intervention_Physical
acupuncture
57180
Outcome_Other
efficacy
57181
Outcome_Physical
Patient-reported outcome ( PROs ) measures
57182
Outcome_Physical
dry mouth
57183
Outcome_Other
saliva measurements
57184
Outcome_Physical
severe dry mouth
57185
Outcome_Physical
sticky saliva
57186
Outcome_Physical
needing to sip fluids to swallow food
57187
Outcome_Other
waking up at night to drink
57188
Outcome_Other
stimulated or unstimulated saliva measurements
57189
Participant_Condition
chronic xerostomia
57190
Participant_Condition
head and neck cancer
57191
Participant_Condition
head and neck cancer
57192
Participant_Condition
chronic xerostomia
57193
Participant_Sample-size
145
57194
Participant_Condition
chronic radiation-induced xerostomia
57195
Participant_Condition
chronic radiation-induced xerostomia .