Acupuncture for Cancer Symptom Control at Moffitt Cancer Center

Abstract

Dispite widely recognized benefits of acupuncture (AP) for cancer symptom control, few cancer centers in the U.S> routinely provide this service. Complexities include credentialing and privileging of non-physician providers, limited available support from NIH grants, and poor payer coverage of the service. Patient barriers, including lack knowledge about AP, may also impact service provision.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC), in Tampa, is the third-largest HCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The MCC Integrative Medicine Program includes AP, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation, and art therapy is available in a different section. We will discuss data from an MCC survey of patient symptom relief and satisfaction data from September 2010 through June 2012. Data are available on 146 individuals, who received 484 total AP sessions in this period. AP recipients were cancer patients, caregivers, or MCC employees. Symptoms (e.g., pain, anxiety, quality of life) were assessed with 10 point scales pre and post each AP session, and satisfaction was measured after each session.

Also to be discussed are AP practice parameters and MCC trials on self-AP for chemotherapy-related anxiety and AP for phantom limb pain.