Acupuncture and Tuina for Xerostomia: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report describes the treatment and clinical outcomes of radiotherapy-induced xerostomia (RIX) and chronic neck stiffness with manual acupuncture and tuina massage. The patient received 14 treatments over the course of one year within a private practice setting in the UK. Diagnosis and treatment were informed by a combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), applied channel theory (ACT), and medical acupuncture (MA) theory, in addition to a review of acupoints utilised for RIX in prior clinical trials. Traditional diagnosis was determined by a combination of symptomatic presentation, pulse, tongue, and palpation, and recorded using the ICD-11 TM1 pattern codes.

Patient-reported outcomes were collected routinely throughout the treatment course. Xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) scores demonstrated a progressive, clinically meaningful improvement in RIX symptoms, achieving a 25% improvement from baseline at nine months, with the results sustained at one-year follow-up. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale responses were “much improved” for both RIX symptoms and neck stiffness. PROMIS Global Health v1.2 scores showed marginal but not clinically significant improvements in overall health. This case report demonstrates clinically meaningful improvements in RIX symptoms and related neck stiffness following a course of acupuncture and tuina massage therapy at one-year follow-up.