Acupuncture in the treatment of cancer in adult individuals: integrative literature review

Authors

  • José Henrique da Silva Cunha Terapeuta Ocupacional. Acupunturista. Especialista em Saúde do Adulto na modalidade Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde. Mestrando em Atenção à Saúde pela Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro.
  • Heloísa Cristina Figueiredo Frizzo Terapeuta Ocupacional. Especialista em Administração Hospitalar. Especialista em Acupuntura. Especialista em Informação em Saúde. Mestre em Ciências Médicas em Saúde Mental. Doutora em Ciências pelo Programa Interunidades em Enfermagem. Pós Doutorado pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências, Tecnologia e Sociedade. Professora Adjunta do curso de Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro.
  • Diane Coelho Pereira Terapeuta Ocupacional. Acupunturista. Especialista em Saúde da Criança/Adolescente na modalidade Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde pela Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19177/cntc.v4e7201537-47

Keywords:

Acupuncture, Neoplasms, Complementary Therapies

Abstract

Cancer is a chronic disease that can trigger devastating reactions in the life of its victims, whether it be in organic, psychic or social features of ones life. Acupuncture, an ancient therapeutic modality, has been used as an adjunct in the treatment of the effects of the disease and / or treatment. The aim of this study was to under¬stand and analyze the scientific literature on the contributions given by acupuncture for cancer treatments in adults over the last five years (2011-2016). This is an integrative review carried out with studies from the fol¬lowing data bases: Virtual Health Library; Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS) and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), using the keywords: acupuncture and cancer. There were 19 articles on the subject studied. The results show that acupuncture has been used for the treatment of pain, anorexia and cachexia, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anxiety and stress of the upper limb lymphedema, hot flashes, sleep disorders, and peripheral neuropathy, showing positive results. In conclusion, acupuncture appears to be a promising adjunct therapy in the treatment of cancer and its repercussions. Other studies should be conducted to seek scientific evidence relevant and up to date in this area.

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Published

2017-10-19

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 7 (2015)

Section

Review articles

License

Considering the acceptance of the above work, I transfer to all rights, title and interest in the copyright of the article mentioned above for Cadernos de Naturologia e Terapias Complementares / Journal of Naturology and Complementary Therapies. This document applies to all translations of the same, as well as the preliminary presentation, under any means of communication, of the paper accepted but not yet published. If any change in authorship (order, addition or deletion) occur after the submission of the manuscript, a document of agreement of all authors should be sent to be kept in the archives of Editor-in-Chief. The name of an author may only be removed upon request same.