Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for radiation-induced xerostomia in a small pilot study. It involved 19 patients who received acupuncture twice a week for four weeks and were assessed using xerostomia inventory and patient benefit questionnaire scores. The results showed that treatment improved the salivary flow and general well-being of patients compared with baseline. Both scores were significantly better after acupuncture on weeks four and eight compared with baseline, and there was a significant difference in physical well-being at week eight.
Garcia MK, Chiang JS, Cohen L et al. Head Neck 2009;31(10):1360-8
Originally published in the December 2009 edition of MIMS Oncology & Palliative Care.
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