[Intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion for moderate to severe cancer pain].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion for moderate to severe cancer pain.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group，30 cases in each one. In the control group，opioids were taken to relief pain according to the three-step analgesic method of World Health Organization. On the base of the treatment as the control group, intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion were applied at Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), etc. in the observation group, 14 days of treatment were required. The equivalent morphine consumption at the first day and whole course, the scores of cancer quality of life questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Hamilton anxiety scale before and after treatment, and the adverse reaction rate were compared in the two groups. The total analgesic effective rate was evaluated.

RESULTS

The total analgesic effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The total equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group was less than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the QLQ-C30 scores were increased (P<0.001) and the HAMA scores were decreased (P<0.001) in the both groups, and those in the observation group were superior to the control group (P<0.001). The adverse reaction rates of fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, constipation in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion can reduce the dose of opioids, improve the quality of life, relief the anxiety in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain, and reduce the incidence of common adverse reaction of opioids.