Bao, T., Goloubeva, O., Pelser, C., Porter, N., Primrose, J., Hester, L., . . . Badros, A.Z. (2014). A pilot study of acupuncture in treating bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 13, 396–404.
To determine the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of acupuncture in decreasing bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN)
Patients were treated with 10 acupuncture treatments twice a week for two weeks, then once a week for four weeks, and then every other week for four weeks. Patients remained on their prescription PN medications.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Prospective study
The Clinical Total Neuropathy Score was considered invalid because of reliability and validity issues in this setting. The FACT/GOG Neurotoxicity (Ntx) subscale and NPS scores demonstrated significant decreases in BIPN symptoms. Improvements in buttoning and walking at weeks 10 and 14 (p values < 0.0001) were observed. No differences in nerve conduction evaluations were reported from baseline to the completion of the study. No change in serum biomarkers were reported.
Acupuncture was demonstrated as a safe although inconvenient treatment for BIPN. Patients reported improvements in BIPN symptoms.
The intervention produced a decrease in some BIPN symptoms. Acupuncture needs to be administered by a licensed therapist, which may not be a realistic treatment for all patients. A large, randomized trial is indicated for future research.