Acupuncture provides significant benefits including reductions in pain, dysfunction and dry mouth for patients who have undergone neck dissection for a head and neck cancer, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The randomized, controlled trial was led by David Pfister, MD, Chief of the Head and Neck Medical Oncology Service, and Barrie Cassileth, PhD, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

"Chronic pain and shoulder mobility problems are common after such surgery [radical neck dissection], adversely affecting quality of life as well as employability for certain occupations," said Pfister.

Nerve-sparing and other modified radical techniques that preserve certain structures without compromising disease control reduce the incidence of these problems but do not eliminate them entirely. Pfister noted "Unfortunately, available conventional methods of treatment for pain and dysfunction following neck surgery often have limited benefits, leaving much room for improvement."

A total of 70 patients were randomized to acupuncture or usual care, which included recommendations of physical therapy and use of anti-inflammatory drugs. At least three months had elapsed since surgery and radiation treatment for all patients before they began study treatment. The treatment group received four sessions of acupuncture over the course of roughly four weeks. Both groups were evaluated with the Constant-Murley scale, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living.

Pain and mobility improved in 39 percent of patients receiving acupuncture compared with 7 percent for patients received usual care. An added benefit of acupuncture was significant reduction of reported xerostomia, extreme dry mouth.