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R. Punwani



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    MINI 28 - Psychological Impact of Lung Cancer and its Treatment (ID 150)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Palliative and Supportive Care
    • Presentations: 1
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      MINI28.11 - Randomised Study of Acupuncture, Morphine and Combination in NSCLC/Mesothelioma (ID 108)

      16:45 - 18:15  |  Author(s): R. Punwani

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Dyspnoea is a common symptom of lung cancer. Morphine is widely used to control dyspnoea.

      Methods:
      We randomised 173 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma with a dyspnoea score ≥ 4 on visual analogue scale (VAS) to one of three arms (acupuncture [A], morphine [M] or combination [AM]). A was delivered to upper sternal, paravertebral, hand and trapezius trigger points. Patients on arm A were given rescue morphine if needed. We recorded VAS dyspnoea and relaxation, lung function tests, respiratory rate, and EORTC QLQ-30/ QLQ-LC13 questionnaires at baseline, 30mins, 90mins, 4 hours, day 2, 7 and 14. Primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving ≥1.5 improvement in VAS dyspnoea at 4 hours.

      Results:
      The median age of the study population was 73. 53% were performance status 2-3. The baseline median VAS dyspnoea score was 6.5. All patients scored >7 on HAD depression score. 44.3% scored >10 on HAD anxiety. Dyspnoea improved by ≥1.5 points on the VAS in 74% of patients in arm A, 60% in arm M and 66% in arm AM (A versus M p-value 0.12, AM versus M p-value 0.50). On VAS scales there was improved anxiety, relaxation and tiredness of A over M. Analysis of EORTC questionnaire data showed a mean change from baseline global health % score for arm A of 7.08 compared to -2.08 for arm M (p-value = 0.009). There was a mean change from baseline in dyspnoea % score for arm A of -7.89 compared to -1.05 for arm M (p=0.029, not significant at 1% level). There was no improvement in lung function or respiratory rate. 21% of patients in arm A, 87% in arm M and 87% in arm AM took one of more doses of morphine (p<0.001). 123 patients had toxicity data. All toxicities were CTCAE grade 1/2 and in line with morphine’s toxicity profile, with 8% of patients in arm A, 35% in arm M and 39% of patients in arm AM reporting toxicities. Two patients stopped morphine because of side effects. There were two cases of skin irritation attributable to acupuncture site dressings. Score Changes from Baseline

      A M AM
      Mean VAS relaxation (SD) -1.06 (±2.60) 0.19 (±2.43) -1.48 (±2.05) p<0.001
      Day 7 median LAR relaxation (range) -1 (-6.7–4.5) 0 (-3.5–4.4) -0.9 (-5.6–4) p=0.006
      Day 7 median LAR anxiety (range) 1.5 (-2.5–8) 0 (-4–6.2) 1.2 (-5.4–6.3) p=0.003
      Mean LAR tiredness (SD) -0.82 (±2.61) 0.02 (±2.20) -0.94 (±2.37) p=0.002
      Mean EORTC global health % (SD) 7.08 (±25.54) -2.08 (±17.70) 2.72 (±16.96) p=0.009
      Mean EORTC dyspnoea % (SD) -7.89 (±17.382) -1.05 (±17.704) -6.37 (±17.797) p=0.029
      Median dose morphine (range) 32mg (1-60) 53mg (13-163) 40.63mg (3-154) p=0.007


      Conclusion:
      This study population was of poor performance status. A is as effective as M in the treatment of dyspnoea and has additive value for anxiety, relaxation and global health. Acupuncture is morphine sparing. Acupuncture should be a treatment available to lung cancer patients with dyspnoea and as a morphine adjunct.

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