Effectiveness of Manual Acupuncture for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation

Manual acupuncture is administered at bilateral ST36 Zusanli, SP6 Sanyinjiao, and midline points CV4 Guanyuan and CV6 Qihai using sterile, single-use 0.25 × 25 mm acupuncture needles. The insertion depth follows standard clinical practice and safety guidelines, with twirling stimulation performed at minutes 0 and 10. Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes and is conducted three times per week for a total of 21 sessions. Participants continue to receive their standard chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Sham Manual acupuncture uses Park sham needles with telescopic tips that do not penetrate the skin, applied at the same acupoints (ST36, SP6, CV4, CV6) with identical procedure and appearance to mimic real acupuncture. Adhesive bases are used to fix the sham needles. Stimulation is mimicked at minutes 0 and 10. Sessions last the same duration and frequency as the intervention group. Participants also continue their standard chemoradiotherapy.