Acupuncture Prevents Chemobrain in Breast Cancer Patients

"DCEAS is a is a novel stimulation mode in which electrical stimulation is delivered on acupoints located on the forehead.~Six pairs of acupoints are used: Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (EX-HN3), left Sishencong (EX-HN1) and Toulinqi (GB15), right Sishencong (EX-HN1) and Toulinqi (GB15), bilateral Shuaigu (GB8), bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN5), and bilateral Touwei (ST8).~Disposable acupuncture needles (Hwato®, 0.30 mm in diameter and 25-40 mm in length) are inserted at a depth of 10-30 mm perpendicularly or obliquely into acupoints. Manual manipulation is then conducted to evoke needling sensation, followed by electrical stimulation (ITO ES-160, continuous waves at 2 Hz)."

"Following acupoints are used: Shui-Gou (GV26), Shen-Men (HT7). He-Gu (LI4), Wai-Guan (TE5), Zhong-Wan (CV12), Guan-Yuan (CV4), Zu-San-Li (ST36), Feng-Long (ST40) and San-Yin-Jiao (SP6).~Disposable acupuncture needles (Hwato®, 0.30 mm in diameter and 25-40 mm in length) are inserted at a depth of 10-30 mm perpendicularly or obliquely into acupoints. Manual manipulation is then conducted to evoke needling sensation. No electrical stimulation is delivered."

The acupoints chosen are less related to the treated syndromes based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory; the number of acupoints used and the intensity of electrical stimulation are also lower than the comprehensive acupuncture regimen. The following 6 acupoints will be used in LAS control: bilateral Tong-Tian (GB17), bilateral Shou San-Li (LI10) and bilateral Fu-Yang (BL59). Electrical stimulation will be only performed on bilateral Tong-Tian (GB17) and the intensities are adjusted to a level at which patients just start feeling the stimulation.

"Each subject shall receive oral administration or venous injection or both with adjuvant or neoadujuvant chemotherapy regimens, as decided by clinical oncologist.~In clinical practice, the most commonly used Cytoxan-containing regimens include but are not limit to:~AC (x4) \[Adriamycin + Cytoxan\], TC (x4) \[Taxotere + Cytoxan\], AC-P (4+4) \[Adriamycin + Cytoxan + Paclitaxel\], TAC (x6) \[Taxotere + Adriamycin + Cytoxan\], or AC-PH (4+4) \[Adriamycin + Cytoxan + Paclitaxel + Herceptin\]."