scholarly journals Acupuncture In The Real World: Evaluating a 15-Year NADA Auricular Acupuncture Service For Breast Cancer Survivors Experiencing Hot Flushes And Night Sweats As a Consequence of Adjuvant Hormonal Therapies

Author(s):  
Beverley de Valois ◽  
Teresa Elaine Young ◽  
Pam Thorpe ◽  
Tarsem Degun ◽  
Karen Corbishley

Abstract PurposeWhile clinical trials provide valuable data about efficacy of interventions, findings often do not translate into clinical settings. We report real world clinical outcomes of a 15-year service offering breast cancer survivors auricular acupuncture to manage hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) associated with adjuvant hormonal treatments. This service evaluation aims to 1) assess whether usual practice alleviates symptoms in a clinically meaningful way and 2) compare these results with scientific evidence. MethodsData were analysed from 415 referrals to a service offering women eight standardised treatments using the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol. Outcome measures administered at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and four- and 18- weeks after EOT included Hot Flush Diaries, Hot Flush Rating Scale (HFRS) and Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ).Results2285 treatments were given to 300 women; 275 (92.3%) completed all eight treatments. Median daily frequency of HFNS reduced from 9.6 (IQR 7.3) to 5.7 (IQR 5.8) at EOT and 6.3 (IQR 6.5) 18 weeks after EOT. HFRS problem rating showed a clinically meaningful reduction of ≥2 points at all measurement points. WHQ showed improvements in several symptoms associated with the menopause. Two adverse events were reported, neither were serious. Results are comparable to published research.ConclusionThis first analysis of a long-term auricular acupuncture service compares favourably with outcomes of other studies for reducing HFNS frequency and associated menopausal symptoms. In day-to-day clinical practice, NADA appears to be a safe effective intervention for breast cancer survivors.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e040253
Author(s):  
Anna Jansana ◽  
Isabel Del Cura ◽  
Alexandra Prados-Torres ◽  
Teresa Sanz Cuesta ◽  
Beatriz Poblador-Plou ◽  
...  

IntroductionBreast cancer has become a chronic disease due to survival improvement and the need to monitor the side effects of treatment and the disease itself. The aim of the SURBCAN study is to describe comorbidity, healthcare services use and adherence to preventive recommendations in long-term breast cancer survivors and to compare them with those in women without this diagnosis in order to improve and adapt the care response to this group of survivors.Methods and analysisPopulation-based retrospective cohort study using real-world data from cancer registries and linked electronic medical records in five Spanish regions. Long-term breast cancer survivors diagnosed between 2000 and 2006 will be identified and matched by age and administrative health area with women without this diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables including comorbidities and variables on the use of health services between 2012 and 2016 will be obtained from databases in primary and hospital care. Health services use will be assessed through the annual number of visits to primary care professionals and to specialists and through annual imaging and laboratory tests. Factors associated with healthcare utilisation and comorbidities will be analysed using multilevel logistic regression models. Recruitment started in December 2018.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Parc de Salut Mar. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at national and international scientific conferences and at patient associations.Trial registration numberThis protocol is registered in Clinical Trials.gov (identifier: NCT03846999).


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 5833-5838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Zayas ◽  
Kathryn J. Ruddy ◽  
Janet E. Olson ◽  
Fergus J. Couch ◽  
Brent A. Bauer ◽  
...  

BMC Cancer ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina M. Caperchione ◽  
Catherine M. Sabiston ◽  
Sean Stolp ◽  
Joan L. Bottorff ◽  
Kristin L. Campbell ◽  
...  

Climacteric ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Rand ◽  
J. L. Otte ◽  
D. Flockhart ◽  
D. Hayes ◽  
A. M. Storniolo ◽  
...  

Breast Cancer ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Wiśniewska ◽  
Bożena Jochymek ◽  
Monika Lenart-Lipińska ◽  
Mariusz Chabowski

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. e12484 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Biglia ◽  
V.E. Bounous ◽  
T. Susini ◽  
S. Pecchio ◽  
L.G. Sgro ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Cristina Roldán-Jiménez ◽  
Bella Pajares ◽  
Sofía Ruiz-Medina ◽  
Manuel Trinidad-Fernández ◽  
Manuel González-Sánchez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Breast cancer survivors (BCS) face several symptoms and are at higher risk of weight gain following diagnosis. Current literature shows that both exercise and diet play a key role in recovery of BCS. However, there is a gap between current guidelines and the real-world context. The aim of this article is to describe the process behind a free, not-for-profit community-based therapeutic exercise and education programme (TEEP) for BCS in the clinical setting. Methods The “Onco-Health Club” (OHC) consists of therapeutic exercise (TE) intervention aimed at ameliorating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and improving QoL and physical function. TE is supplemented with nutritional education, providing information about the Mediterranean diet. To this end, patients are recruited from an oncologist and are referred to a physiotherapist and a nutritionist for baseline assessment. TEEP consists of a 3-month intervention, delivered twice a week in a group format with 1 h of TE and 30 min of nutritional education. BCS then have a final assessment and are advised to continue with a healthy lifestyle. Data about referral, compliance and assessment were collected. Results From May 2017 to February of 2020, a total of 158 patients were recruited from 8 cohorts and 142 initially started the OHC. From 119 that joined the program, 96 patients were considered to have finished it with good adherence (assistance > 80%). BCS significantly improved their QoL, as well as upper and lower limb’s function, and increased their level of physical activity. CRF tended to decrease (p = 0.005). Conclusions This study obtained data on recruitment, compliance, and possible limitations of these kinds of programmes in a real-world context. Further research is needed in order to optimize patient engagement and compliance, as well as to determine the transferability of these programmes in the clinical setting. Trial registration NCT03879096, Registered 18th March 2019. Retrospectively registered.


Maturitas ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. S34 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Biglia ◽  
P. Sgandurra ◽  
E. Peano ◽  
G. Moggio ◽  
M. Spatola ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document