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KMID : 0644120190320030102
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Journal of Oriental Gynecology
2019 Volume.32 No. 3 p.102 ~ p.115
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A Review on Clinical Studies of Acupuncture Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
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Park Kyung-Dug
Hwang Su-In
Park Jang-Kyung
Yoon Young-Jin
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Abstract
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Objectives: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema, thus providing a clinical basis for acupuncture treatment and helping to develop clinical practice guideline through consideration of used meridians and acupoints.
Methods: Clinical studies applying acupuncture on breast cancer-related lymphedema were searched through 7 databases such as The Cochrane Library Central, Embase, Pubmed and CAJ. Interventions and results of the selected clinical studies were analyzed.
Results: 8 Clinical studies were finally included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 6 randomized controlled studies and 2 single-arm pilot studies. All of those studies were searched in The Cochrane Library Central, Embase, Pubmed and CAJ and written in English and Chinese. Treatment group applied acupuncture as a korean medicine intervention. Interventions of control group were made with non-treatment, upper limb exercise, and oral administration of capillary stabilizer or diuretics. Outcome measurements varied from paper to paper but every study measured reduction in arm circumference. Among 8 studies, 6 studies reported statistically significant reduction in arm circumference in treatment group and there were no serious adverse effects.
Conclusions: This study suggested that acupuncture has few side effects as well as statistically significant effects on many aspects in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema. However the results should be taken cautiously as more clinical studies are needed.
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KEYWORD
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Breast Cancer, Lymphedema, Acupuncture, BCRL
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