Augmentation of Cancer Cachexia Components With Targeted Acupuncture in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

TA using predetermined, reproducible points may provide benefits to some patients with GI cancer cachexia by normalizing metabolic dysregulation. Elevated ghrelin levels are indicative of insulin resistance, which can lead to increased muscle loss represented by increased LDH activity in the NTA group. The pilot study provided completion rate and effect size for the primary outcome measures for a larger study. A longer treatment duration may be required to further refine these findings.