The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology (대한한방부인과학회지)

The Society of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology (대한한방부인과학회)
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A Review on Clinical Studies of Acupuncture Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

유방암 환자의 이차성 림프부종에 대한 침 치료 임상 연구 고찰

  • Park, Kyung-Dug (Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Hwang, Su-In (Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Park, Jang-Kyung (Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Yoon, Young-Jin (Dept. of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
  • 박경덕 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방부인과) ;
  • 황수인 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방부인과) ;
  • 박장경 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방부인과) ;
  • 윤영진 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방부인과)
  • Received : 2019.07.09
  • Accepted : 2019.08.29
  • Published : 2019.08.30
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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), 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.

Keywords

References

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