Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of electroacupuncture on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patient. Methods : The patient is a female with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) who was diagnosed with breast cancer and suffering from paresthesia of extremities after chemotherapy of docetaxel. The patient was treated with electroacupuncture (15 minutes per one time) twice a day for 14 days. The clinical outcomes were measured by Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) grade and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results : In this case, PNQ Item 1 (numbness) grade was improved from D to C, Item 2 (weakness) grade was from C to B. The score of upper limbs VAS was decreased from 7 to 2, lower limbs was from 7 to 5 respectively. Edema of both extremities was also improved. Conclusions : This case study suggests that electroacupuncture therapy may have significant effects of CIPN in breast cancer patient.