Background: Oxaliplatin used to treat colorectal cancer, induces peripheral neuropathy. We hypothesized that ultrasound on acupuncture points might help control Oxaliplatin-induce Peripheral Neuropathy (OIPN).
Methods: Sixty patients with OIPN, Individuals aged 20 to 70 were randomly allocated to two groups via an opaque sealed envelope: Group A was administered pulsed therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz) at the bilateral acupuncture sites PC6, PC7, BL60, and KI1, Group B received placebo therapeutic ultrasound, and both groups received the traditional physical therapy program. Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), and the Common Toxicity Criteria of the National Cancer Institute (NCICTC) were used to assess patients before and after 4 weeks of therapy (3 times/week) and 6 weeks of follow-up.
Results: Significant decreases in NPS mean ± SD (2.93 ± 1.11) and follow-up (2.55 ± 1.04) compared to pretreatment (5.87 ± 1.52) and increases in PPT (6.38 ± 1.17) and follow-up (6.71 ± 1.18) compared to pretreatment (4.14 ± 1.31). A decrease in NCICTC median (1(1-1)) compared to pretreatment (3(3-2)).
Conclusions: Ultrasound acupuncture reduced neuropathic symptoms from oxaliplatin-based chemotherapies.