To observe the clinical effectiveness of a topical application of Xiaozheng Zhitong: Paste (消癥止痛方

XZP) in alleviating the cancerous pain of patients with middle/late stage cancer By: adopting a random number table

124 patients enrolled were randomized into the treatment group (64 patients) and the control group (60 patients). In addition to the basic therapy [including the three-ladder (3L) analgesia] used in both groups

topical application of XZP was given to patients in the treatment group for pain alleviation. The analgesic efficacy was recorded in terms of pain intensity

analgesia initiating time and sustaining time

and the optimal analgesic effect revealing time. Meanwhile

the quality of life (QOL) and adverse reactions that occurred in patients were recorded as well. The total effective rate in the treatment group was: 84.38% (54/64)

and in the control group it was 88.33% (53/60)

showing no significant difference between them (P>0.05)

but the analgesia initiating time and the optimal analgesia effect revealing time in the treatment group were significantly shorter (both P<0.01). Moreover

XZP was better in improving patients’ QOL

showing more significant improvements in the treatment group than those in the control group in aspects of mental condition

walking capacity

working capacity

social acceptability

sleep and joy of living (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Lower incidence of adverse reactions

such as nausea

vomiting

mouth dryness

dizziness

etc.

especially constipation

was noted in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Applying an external compress: of XZP showed a synergistic action with 3L analgesia for shortening the initiating time and the optimal effect revealing time

and could evidently enhance patients’ QOL with fewer adverse reactions.