Volume 29, Issue 4, 2020
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2020.869
Effects of Acupoint Application Therapy on Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer-Related Fatigue During Chemotherapy for Lymphoma
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effects of acupoint application therapy on the quality of life of patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF) during chemotherapy for lymphoma.
Methods: Lymphoma patients treated in Department of Hematology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from September 2018 to February 2019 were selected through convenience sampling. A total of 96 patients who had mild and severer CRF rated by the Piper fatigue scale during chemotherapy were divided into control group (n=49) and experimental group (n=46) using a random number table. The control group was given conventional nursing during chemotherapy, while the experimental group received acupoint application therapy with Chinese materia medica applied to Shenque, Guanyuan and Zusanli (4-6 h/d, with 5 d as a course of treatment). After treatment, the quality of life, physical function status, performance status, 120 h response rate and incidence rate of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.
Results: The total quality-of-life score, KPS score and 120 h therapeutic index were higher in experimental group than those in control group after treatment (P<0.05). No adverse reactions occurred during treatment in control group, while 2 (4.35%) patients in experimental group suffered from skin-mucous membrane reaction at Shenque acupoint due to medication time prolonged by themselves, which was cured after drug withdrawal for 1 d.
Conclusion: Acupoint application therapy with Chinese materia medica has obvious efficacy on CRF during chemotherapy for lymphoma and can efficiently improve the quality of life of patients.
Keywords
lymphoma’ chemotherapy; cancer-related fatigue; quality of life