Clinical Observation On Acupuncture For Aromatase Inhibitor-induced Arthralgia Of Obstruction Of Phlegm And Blood Stasis In Breast Cancer

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of two methods for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia(AIA)of obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis,by comparing the treatment of acupuncture combined with zoledronic acid and zoledronic acid alone.To observe the improvement of arthralgia and quality of life between two methods,so as to provide more effective ideas for clinical treatment of AIA.Methods:Forty-two AIA patients with breast cancer were divided into the treatment group and control group randomly by SPSS.Each group had 21 patients.A total of 40 patients completed the whole study and 2 patients were dropped out in two groups.Patients were treated with acupuncture combined with zoledronic acid in the treatment group and patients were only treated with zoledronic acid in the control group.The acupuncture was performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks.The dosage of zoledronic acid was once every 6 months and zoledronic acid was only used once in the study,4 mg each time.The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form(BPI-SF)and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast(FACT-B)were assessed before acupuncture,after 2 weeks,4 weeks,8 weeks and 12 weeks.The data were statistically analyzed.Result:Comparing to before the treatment,the symptoms of AIA in two groups are significantly improved in the worst pain of BPI-SF and FACT-B after 4,8,12weeks and the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).Comparing to the control group,the worst pain scores of BPI-SF in the treatment group are significantly improved after 4,8,12 weeks(P<0.05).Comparing to the control group,the FACT-B scores in the treatment group are statistically improved after 2,4,8,12 weeks(P<0.05).In FACT-B,there are significant differences between two groups after treatment in terms of physical health and emotion(P<0.05).Conclusion:1.Acupuncture combined with zoledronic acid has better effectiveness than zoledronic acid alone in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia of obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis in breast cancer.Acupuncture combined with zoledronic acid significantly improves the pain and quality of life in breast cancer patients.2.Acupuncture combined with zoledronic acid in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia of obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis in breast cancer is significantly better than zoledronic acid alone in the health quality and emotional adjustment.3.Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia of obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis in breast cancer.