Xerostomia Pilot Fudan: Acupuncture for Prevention of Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

Exclusion criteria

• ✕. History of xerostomia prior to the head and neck radiation therapy (Sjögren's disease or other underlying systemic illness known to cause xerostomia).
• ✕. Prior head and neck radiation treatment
• ✕. Suspected or confirmed physical closure of salivary gland ducts on either side
• ✕. Known bleeding disorders or on Heparin or Coumadin
• ✕. Upper or lower extremity deformities that could interfere with accurate acupoint location or alter the energy pathway as defined by traditional acupuncture theory
• ✕. Local skin infections at or near the acupuncture site or active systemic infection
• ✕. History of cerebrovascular accident or spinal cord injury. (The mechanism of action for acupuncture may be associated with central nervous system (CNS) activity, and patients with CNS pathology may respond differently to treatment than the general population.)
• ✕. Mental incapacitation or significant emotional or psychiatric disorder that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes study entry as these patients may not be able to cooperate with this slightly invasive procedure or with the data collection process