Every Other Ginger Moxibustion On The Peripheral Vision And Survival Quality Of Patients With Chemotherapy Period Of Clinical Research

Objective:Using ginger-partitioned moxibustion on specific time frame in relation to chemotherapy (5days prior to chemotherapy, and21days,30days,60days after chemotherapy respectively), to explore its therapeutic effects on peripheral blood cell and quality of life of cancer patients; thus prevention of toxic and side effects induced by chemotherapy.Methods:Fifty-four cases of cancer patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (n=27). For the treatment group, use of "Happyall" moxibustion apparatus with direct contact with fresh ginger partitioned between the skin and the apparatus. Control group uses "happyall" moxibustion, with a layer of cardboard between the apparatus and ginger to prevent heat from passing through. Both groups begin moxibustion therapy5days prior to the start of chemotherapy. Moxibustion are performed on Zusanli (ST36), Guanyuan (CV4), Pishu(BL20) simultaneously,3times a week,20minutes each session, continue this therapy until day60in the course of chemotherapy. Tests are performed five days before chemotherapy,21days,30days and the60days after chemotherapy. Tests include total white cell count, hemoglobin and platelet count, neutrophil absolute value. Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), QLQ-C30questionnaires designed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) to assess the quality of life of cancer patients.Results:Test results include age, sex, types of cancer, and the peripheral blood cell, KPS and QLQ-C305days prior to chemotherapy both groups are comparable but without significant difference (P>0.05). Compare to21days after marking the start of chemotherapy, at30days, both groups still show substantial amount of decrease in total white cell count, hemoglobin and platelet count, neutrophil absolute value, it shows significant difference (P<0.05). For the results on day60, the treatment group show significant increase in white cell count, hemoglobin and platelet count, neutrophil absolute value(P<0.05); Vice versa, control group show no sign of drastic increase in any of the blood count. Treatment group compare to the control group, treatment group exhibits significant higher increase in blood test results(P<0.05). Compare the KPS and Quality of Life (QoL) results between day21and day30after chemotherapy, both groups exhibit significant decrease in scores (P<0.05). Thus, compare the two groups at day60, the treatment group shows significant increase in both KPS and QoL scores(P<0.05) while the control group shows no sign of increase. Compare functional results of both groups at day21and day30, Physical, emotional, role, cognitive, and social functioning scores all exhibit significant decrease (P<0.05). At day60, treatment group has significant increase in functional skills whilst control group shows no sign of increase, comparing the two groups exhibit significant difference (P<0.05). For the treatment group, symptoms include nausea and vomiting, pain, appetite loss, constipation and diarrhea significantly decrease in severity between day21and day30(P<0.05). However, symptoms including nausea and vomiting, pain, constipation and diarrhea show no significant difference in severity compare to the severity scores prior to chemotherapy(P>0.05). Fatigue, dyspnea, and insomnia improved significantly between day21and day60(P<0.05); thus, pain and constipation both recover substantially and show no significant score difference when compare to prior to chemotherapy(P>0.05). For the control group, the symptoms significantly increase in severity when compare between day5days before chemotherapy and day21after chemotherapy(P<0.05). Compare between the two groups, at day21, symptoms does not reflect significant difference (P>0.05); at day30, treatment group exhibit significant improvement in pain, nausea and vomiting compare to control group (P<0.05); at day60, symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation and diarrhea show significant improvement compare to control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Ginger-partitioned moxibustion before the course of chemotherapy can prevent peripheral blood cell drop induced by chemotherapy. Thus, can effectively decrease of toxic and side effects induced by chemotherapy, especially pain, and nausea and vomiting. This suggest the use of ginger-partitioned moxibustion before the start and continue on during the course of chemotherapy can prevent the toxic side effects of chemotherapy, and increase the quality of life of cancer patients.