. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Jul 1.

Published in final edited form as: Contemp Clin Trials. 2012 Mar 2;33(4):700–711. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2012.02.017

Table 4.

Acupuncture treatment strategy and treatment phases for HNC patients with dysphagia

Phases of Treatment	Treatment Intention	Treatment Visits	Points, Stimulation and Number of Needles
1	Reduce anxiety regarding needling; familiarize patient with procedure; initiate body response	1^st and 2^nd	ST36, SP9, K3, LI11, GV20, GV24, Yintang; mild; 13 needles^***
2	Increase intensity; expand to facial area; continue body response	3^rd–7^th	Add LI2, ST7, ST5, CV24; Add electroacupuncture moderate; 22 needles
3	Increase intensity; expand to the back and front of neck; maximize body response	8^th–12^th	Add SI16, GB20, CV23, continue electroacupuncture; 27 needles

^***

‘Acupuncture point selection will remain at phase one until the 4th week post CRT, regardless of the number of acupuncture sessions received.