Wang, C., Tan, W., Huang, X., Fu, T., Lin, J., Bu, J., . . . Du, Y. (2013). Curative effect of Dingqi analgesic patch on cancer pain: A single-blind randomized controlled trail. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 33, 176–180.

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To observe the curative effect of an acupoint application with a Dingqi analgesic patch on moderate-to-severe pain caused by liver cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients were randomized to a control or a treatment group. Patients with visual analog scale (VAS) scores of 4–6 were given 100 mg sustained-release tramadol daily. Those with VAS scores of 7–10 were given 4.2 mg fentanyl transdermal every three days. The treatment group was given the acupoint patch consisting of a mixture of traditional Chinese herbs on one to two pain points. The control group was given the same size patch without medication. The VAS scores were assessed at intervals throughout the 12 days of treatment.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 40
  • AGE = 18–80 years
  • MALES, FEMALES: Not available
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Liver cancer with pain

Setting

  • SITE: Single site 
  • SETTING TYPE: Not specified 
  • LOCATION: China

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment
  • APPLICATIONS: Elder care

Study Design

  • Single-blind, randomized, controlled study

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • VAS
  • Karnofsky Performance Scale

Results

Findings suggest that the Dingqi patch might be helpful in pain management; however, this study provides very limited support for this approach.

Limitations

  • Small sample (less than 100)
  • Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
  • Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results
  • Key sample group differences that could influence results
  • Other limitations/explanation: This study shows a decrease in pain over the 12-day period, almost equivocal in the treatment and control group. The patients scored their pain on the VAS scale and were given either controlled-release tramadol or Duragesic® patches at the start of the study, in addition to the Dingqi patch, or the control patch. Additionally, during the 12 days, if a patient scored a 4–6 on the VAS, they were given a 50 mg tramadol injection; if they scored a 7–10 on the VAS, they were given a 5 mg morphine injection. The report was very limited with no information on patient demographics. Actual data are not reported.

Nursing Implications

This study does not provide evidence in support of the use of this analgesic patch for pain.