Efficacy of Auricular Acupuncture in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series of 73 Cases

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can adversely affect completion of systemic anticancer treatment and cause long-term morbidity. To date, its physiopathology remains unclear, and treatments are rare and poorly performed. Auricular acupuncture has already offered interesting results in several symptoms. Objective: This study (AACIPN2020) assessed the efficacy of auriculotherapy in CIPN. Design: We used patients' systematically collected data of 2014-2016 in a medical oncology practice. The treatment was made according to guidelines of the interuniversity diploma and the cartography of the World Health Organization. Pain assessment according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event scale was orally collected. Results: Seventy-three cancer patients were treated for CIPN. They had finished chemotherapy 24 weeks prior on average. They received on average 23 punctures at each appointment. Sixty-five percent of patients met satisfaction, with 31% with a real impact on their daily life. Efficacy appeared after one or two treatments for 96% of cases. Some patients continued treatment to maximize benefits. Conclusions: Auricular acupuncture is a safe and inexpensive method of CIPN treatment. It may be applied earlier in chemotherapy administration, and in a large variety of other symptoms. Clinical trial registration number: COS RGDS 2019 09 001.

Keywords: auricular acupuncture; auriculotherapy; cancer; chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; neuropathy.

FIG. 1.

Example of treatment plan for feet CIPN: lateral sides of the auricula. All treated points are descripted only for the left side, on the left auricula. The treatment procedure is applied on both sides in case of bilateral CIPN. Master point of foot and of S1 root are treated on the medial side of auricula in case of motor CIPN, but only on the lateral side in case of sensitive CIPN, and both in case of motor and sensitive CIPN. The other treated points are quite stable as they are basic points. CIPN, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; S1, first sciatic root; PMS, master point of sensitivity; ω, master point of sensitivity. According to the WHO cartography established by D. Alimi. Used with kind permission of Dr Alimi.