Shen Qiongying, Deng Dehou, Li Guangliang, Ruan Jiayin, Shao Xiying, Wang Peipei, Li Xiaoyu, Li Rongrong, Bao Wenlong, Chen Weiji, Lu Chao
The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.
Oncologist. 2025 Sep 1;30(9). doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyaf262.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a prevalent dose-limiting toxicity in breast cancer patients. Electroacupuncture (EA) shows promise but optimal stimulation parameters remain undefined. We conducted a randomized trial comparing EA frequencies for CIPN.
This single-center, single-blind trial randomized patients to 2, 100, and 2/100 Hz EA, or mecobalamin (Mecbl). The primary outcome was the patient neurotoxicity questionnaire (PNQ) response rate at Week 4. Secondary outcomes included PNQ scores, National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) grades at Weeks 4/8, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) and Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) scales.
2/100 Hz EA achieved the highest overall response rate. Both 2 and 2/100 Hz EA improved PNQ sensory scores at Week 4. Sensory scores improved across groups, while motor scores decreased with 2 and 2/100 Hz EA. Only 2 Hz EA improved autonomic function. For quality-of-life, 2 Hz EA enhanced physical function, fatigue, pain and insomnia, while 2/100 Hz EA improved nausea/vomiting, constipation, appetite and global health with additional pain relief at Week 4. The 100 Hz EA group showed no significant benefits in these domains.
This study preliminarily explored EA's potential benefits for CIPN, with 2/100 Hz showing the highest response rate and 2 Hz demonstrating sensory improvement advantages. Different frequencies produced distinct therapeutic profiles. Further research should evaluate frequency-specific effects of EA for CIPN.
化疗引起的周围神经病变（CIPN）是乳腺癌患者中一种常见的剂量限制性毒性反应。电针（EA）显示出一定前景，但最佳刺激参数仍未明确。我们进行了一项随机试验，比较不同频率电针治疗CIPN的效果。
这项单中心、单盲试验将患者随机分为2Hz、100Hz、2/100Hz电针组或甲钴胺（Mecbl）组。主要结局指标是第4周时患者神经毒性问卷（PNQ）的应答率。次要结局指标包括PNQ评分、第4/8周时的美国国立癌症研究所不良事件通用术语标准（NCI-CTCAE）分级，以及欧洲癌症研究与治疗组织生活质量问卷-化疗引起的周围神经病变20（EORTC QLQ-CIPN20）和生活质量问卷核心30（EORTC QLQ-C30）量表。
2/100Hz电针组的总体应答率最高。2Hz和2/100Hz电针组在第4周时均改善了PNQ感觉评分。各治疗组的感觉评分均有所改善，而2Hz和2/100Hz电针组的运动评分下降。仅2Hz电针改善了自主神经功能。在生活质量方面，2Hz电针改善了身体功能、疲劳、疼痛和失眠，而2/100Hz电针改善了恶心/呕吐、便秘、食欲和整体健康状况，在第4周时还额外缓解了疼痛。100Hz电针组在这些方面未显示出显著益处。
本研究初步探讨了电针对CIPN的潜在益处，2/100Hz电针的应答率最高，2Hz电针在感觉改善方面具有优势。不同频率产生了不同的治疗效果。进一步的研究应评估电针对CIPN的频率特异性效应。
