Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Acupuncture Therapy for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma Patients: a Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether acupuncture can be effective for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in lymphoma or multiple myeloma patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years of age and have diagnosis of a lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
• Patients must have chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy greater or equal to 2 according to CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v 3.0 scale (Appendix A) in spite of previous conventional medications, e.g. Neurontin, Cymbalta and/or Lyrica. Patients receiving any of conventional medication for this symptoms must remain on the same medications throughout the study period.
• Patients, or the legal guardians of patients, must have the ability to understand Korean, and be ble to provide informed consent.
• ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) Performance Status of 0, 1, or 2.
• If the patient is a woman of child-bearing potential, she must have a negative urine pregnancy test and agree to use contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other diseases that, in the opinion of the investigators, can cause peripheral neuropathy, such as alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, and HIV.
• Current active treatment for lymphoma or multiple myeloma
• Ongoing local infection at or near the acupuncture point adopted in this trial.
• Severe immunocompromised patients, leukopenia ( < 4,000/㎣) or neutropenia ( < 1,500/㎣)
• Known coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia (< 50,000/㎣), and taking heparin (including low molecular weight heparin) or Coumadin at any dose.
• Serious emotional or mental problems that precludes study entry.
• Mental and physical disability that precludes accurate acupuncture.
• Serious systemic diseases such as active infection, severe heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
• Cardiac pacemaker.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Acupuncture therapy within the previous 30 days
• Concurrent other complementary and alternative therapy such as herbal agents, high dose vitamins, and etc.