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Abstract
Acupuncture Trial: Managing Digestive Side-effects of Antiretroviral Treatment
Sommers E.1, Porter K.1
Introduction: Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in the area of digestive side-effect management in cancer chemotherapy and following surgical anaesthesia, but it has not yet been studied in the context of controlling side-effects related to HIV-medication.
Methods: A 6-week cross-over clinical trial was designed to compare the efficacy of two sets of acupuncture points in minimizing digestive side-effects resulting from use of antiretroviral therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one set of points for 3 weeks, followed by the other set of points for the remaining 3 weeks of the study. One set of points included 4 acupuncture sites commonly associated with alleviation of digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bowel upsets; the comparison set of points consisted of nearby acupuncture sites not noted for their efficacy in affecting digestive conditions. Participants were blinded as to the categorization of the points. Daily symptom diaries were kept by the participants and used to record levels of severity of digestive symptoms, as well as daily adherence to medications.
Results: Fifty-two participants ranging in age from 29 to 56 years enrolled in the study. Over 700 treatments were administered. Although both sets of points resulted in some improvement of digestive symptoms, the symptom-specific treatment was more effective in controlling loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, and bloating. Among participants who reported less than 95% adherence to their medications at intake, half of these reported improved adherence by the end of the trial. A significant carry-over effect was observed when participants received the symptom-specific treatment first.
Conclusions: Treatment with acupuncture was well-tolerated and safe, with no adverse effects being reported. The pilot study demonstrated that treatment was feasible and acceptable. Results from this pilot trial are being used to design a more rigorous and larger trial which will be implemented without the cross-over design.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
WePe6.2C01
Suggested Citation
"SommersE., et al.
Acupuncture Trial: Managing Digestive Side-effects of Antiretroviral Treatment.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
WePe6.2C01"
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