Acupuncture in xerostomia – a systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of xerostomia. Assessing quality of studies aim to efficiently integrate valid information and provide a basis for sound decision making based on the best available evidence. Articles of controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of xerostomia were obtained by searching through the databases MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to September 2003. Three articles met the criteria for inclusion and a criteria list was used to assess the quality of these studies. The studies were considered to be of high quality or low quality in accordance with the criteria list utilized. The results of the trials were considered positive, negative or indifferent based on statistically significant between group differences. The criteria list utilized indicate that one of the three studies was of high quality and it presents indifferent results. One of the two studies of low quality presents positive results and one presents indifferent results. An analysis of the results degree of evidence resulted in no evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of xerostomia. This systematic review shows that there is no evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of xerostomia. There is a need for future high quality randomized controlled trials.

Acupuncture for the relief of odynophagia and xerostomia after chemoradiation therapy in oropharyngeal cancer: a case report

“…The results of this case study also support previous studies that found acupuncture to be effective in stimulating saliva and improving xerostomia [12][13][14][15][16]. This case study differs from prior studies by reporting the use of a combination of manual acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and electro-acupuncture looking specifically at the impact on odynophagia.…”

“…It has been found in previous studies to be effective in reducing dysphagia symptom severity in head and neck cancer patients [8][9][10][11]. Acupuncture has also been found in previous studies to be effective in stimulating saliva and improving xerostomia [12][13][14][15][16]. Although previous studies have reported the use of acupuncture on dysphagia and xerostomia following chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer; to our knowledge, no one has previously reported the use of acupuncture looking specifically at the impact on odynophagia, or painful swallowing.…”

Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Irradiation-Induced Xerostomia in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…CDSR listed just one 'other review' by Jedel. 27 However, a review of this paper disclosed certain limitations, suggesting a comprehensive, up-todate search examining the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of irradiation-induced xerostomia was justifi ed.…”

Palliative Dental Care- A Boon for Debilitating

“…Nevertheless symptomatic therapy like water intake, oral rinses and gels, alcohol free mouthwashes, humidifiers, use of topical salivary stimulants like sugar free gums, artificial salivary substitutes, systemic secretogogues like bromohexine, anetholitrithione, pilocarpine Hcl and cevimeline Hcl [23][24][25]. New modalities include electrical stimulation of salivary glands for salivary hypofunction which delivers low voltage electric charge to tongue and palate [16,26].…”