The Effectiveness of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) With Standard Therapy in Gynecological Cancer Pain
Condition: Gynecologycal Cancer; Cancer Related Pain; Cancer Pain
MeSH terms: Cancer Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Pain is one of the most important symptoms of cancer patients, with nearly 40% of all cancer
      patients experiencing moderate to severe pain. Gynecological oncology patients on palliative
      care have a chief complaint of pain or significant nausea/vomiting, contrary to the patient's
      initial complaints on admission such as fever, infection, dyspnea, changes, altered
      consciousness, bleeding, pancytopenia. Strong recommendations by WHO regarding the use of
      non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol and opioids either alone or in
      combination in adults, including the elderly and adolescents with cancer-related pain in the
      early stages, pain relief depending on clinical judgment and severity to achieve pain
      treatment which is fast and safe. Ear acupuncture is a simple and safe method that can be
      used alone or in combination with other forms of medical care, which is effective in treating
      a variety of conditions as well as painful conditions. Based on the previous 2020 systematic
      review regarding ear acupuncture in its benefits in cancer pain, it was stated that ear
      acupuncture was effective in treating pain in cancer patients with moderate pain levels,
      effective for reducing pain scores, faster onset, and longer duration of analgesics. Ear
      acupuncture is also more effective when compared to standard therapy without acupuncture, so
      it can be used as an additional modality for cancer pain. Currently there is no research on
      the effectiveness of BFA ear acupuncture therapy in the treatment of gynecological cancer
      pain to treat it based on the consistency of point selection, so it is necessary to conduct
      research on the effectiveness of BFA ear acupuncture therapy in the treatment of
      gynecological cancer pain.

      This study aim to analyze the effectiveness of BFA ear acupuncture therapy plus standard
      therapy on pain intensity (VAS score), changes in analgesic dose, and quality of life (EORTC
      QLQ C-30 score) in patients with gynecological cancer pain compared to standard therapy
      alone.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study was conducted using a single blinded randomized control clinical trial design in
      58 female patients who are hospitalized aged 18-65 years, have a diagnosis of gynecological
      cancer, with a VAS score≥4 caused by tumor, before or during a therapeutic process (radiation
      therapy, chemotherapy, or after surgery), agree to participate in the study, sign the
      informed consent form who were randomized into 2 groups, namely group I BFA ear acupuncture
      with standard therapy and group 2 standard therapy, the acupuncture points used were placed
      at points MA-IT1 Cingulate Gyrus, MA-AT2 Thalamus, MA-H2 Omega 2, MA-H1 Point Zero, MA-TF1
      Shenmen on both sides of the ear using Pyonex needles were placed with a diameter of 0.17mm,
      depth of 0.9mm. the pyonex press needle. were retained for three days The outcome assessed
      were pain intensity using the VAS, changes in analgesic dose, and quality of life with the
      EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire, which was assessed on the day before starting therapy, the
      first day, the second day, the third day, the fifth day and the seventh day
    

Intervention name(s): Press Needle Acupuncture
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): Ear acupuncture using Pyonex press needles were installed with a diameter of 0.17mm, 0.9mm deep. The needles were retained for three days and stimulated at the installation site of the patch needle by means of pressure on the acupuncture point ears that have been attached needles on both sides, 1 minute at each point, four times a day, for 3 consecutive days and the patch was removed on the 3rd day
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Battlefield acupuncture; Ear acupuncture; Cancer pain; Gynecologycal cancer pain; Quality of life