Acupuncture for Pain and Dysfunction Following Neck Dissection: A Randomized, Controlled, Phase III Trial

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Determine whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer who have undergone neck dissection. Secondary * Determine whether acupuncture relieves dry mouth in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, controlled study. Patients are stratified according to surgical procedure (selective neck dissection vs modified radical neck dissection vs radical neck dissection) and baseline Constant-Murley score (≤ 35 vs > 35). Patients are randomized into 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients undergo acupuncture for 20-30 minutes once weekly for 4 weeks. * Arm II: Patients undergo standard of care for 4 weeks. In both arms, treatment continues in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. The Constant-Murley score is assessed at baseline and then at week 6. Pain medication use is recorded at baseline, during study treatment, and then at week 6. Numerical Rating Scale of pain on activity and xerostomia inventories are completed at baseline and then at weeks 5 and 6. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 58 patients will be accrued for this study.