AEGiS-15IAC: Acupuncture trial in side-effect management and adherence enhancement.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Acupuncture trial in side-effect management and adherence enhancement.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. B10402)

Sommers EA, Porter KE
AIDS Care Project, Boston, United States

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in managing digestive side-effects of medications used in cancer chemotherapy and following anaesthesia. This clinical trial examines the role of acupuncture in controlling side-effects related to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART therapy results in a high prevalence of digestive side-effects which can, in turn, negatively impact adherence to medication protocols, potentially resulting in serious health consequences due to increased viral resistance and mutation.

METHODS: The AIDS Care Project designed a 6-week acupuncture cross-over clinical trial to examine whether a set of 4 symptom-specific points can be more effective in controlling digestive symptoms associated with use of HAART than a set of 4 clinically irrelevant points. Treatment was administered in each arm of the study for 3 weeks; the order of treatment assignment was determined by randomization. Study subjects and data analysts were blinded. Daily diaries were used throughout the study to record compliance with medication protocols and symptoms experienced. An intent-to-treat analysis was used.

RESULTS: Findings are based on n=53. Highest levels of improvement were noted for the following symptoms: bowel upsets, loss of appetite, nausea, cramps and bloating. Although a high level of adherence was reported by 80% of the participants at intake, among those with less than optimal adherence, 50% reported improved compliance to medication protocols.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that symptom-specific teratment can be more effective than non-specific treatment for controlling certain digestive side-effects related to HAART use. Acupuncture treatment also seems to be related to improved ability to adhere to medication protocols, and is well-tolerated and safe; no adverse complications related to treatment were reported. A larger trial is planned to determine whether these findings can be extrapolated to a more diverse population.

Keywords: AEGIS, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Patient Compliance, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Complementary Therapies, Disease Progression, Prevalence, organization & administration

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B10402