Efficacy and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Pain

Disposable stainless steel filiform needles (40mm in length and 0.30mm in diameter) are inserted perpendicularly into T8-T12 Jiaji (Ex-B2) points bilaterally to a depth of 25 mm. After De Qi sensation is achieved, the handles of needles on homolateral T8 and T12 Jiaji are respectively connected to the Han's acupoint nerve stimulator at a frequency of 2/100 Hz and a current of 1mA with a disperse-dense waveform for 30 minutes.

Placebo acupuncture needles (Dongbang AcuPrime Acupuncture Inc., South Korea) are used on the non-point points at the same level as T8 and T12 Jiaji, 4.5 cun lateral to the posterior median line. The needles with blunt tips are quickly put onto points without inserting into the skin. The needles on homolateral points at the same level as T8 and T12 Jiaji are then connected to the electric stimulator, but with zero frequency and electric current.