Multicenter randomized study of acupuncture for chronic radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who undergo radiotherapy can develop chronic radiation-induced xerostomia. A multicenter randomized trial in the USA compared true acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and standard oral hygiene for radiation-induced chronic xerostomia in 258 patients at least 12 months postradiotherapy. True acupuncture was effective at improving symptoms of xerostomia and overall quality of life compared with standard oral hygiene. Although there was some suggestion of a sham effect, the benefits of sham treatment were minimal and not associated with improvements in overall quality of life. The authors conclude that the findings from the trial suggest that among HNC patients, use of real acupuncture reduces chronic radiation-induced xerostomia and leads to improvement in quality of life.