Beverley de Valois

Verified

Beverley verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

Verified

Beverley verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

• PhD, LicAc, FBAcC
• Researcher at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Background: Prostate cancer survivors experience a range of troublesome symptoms related to cancer and its treatments. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) 5-point ear acupuncture protocol to improve the well-being of men diagnosed with prostate canc...

Background This trial aims to investigate the feasibility of teaching cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy within the National Health Service to self-administer daily indirect moxibustion to St 36 zusanli. This will begin to assess whether this intervention can reduce chemotherapy induced pancytopenia, specifically neutropenia, anaemia, and thro...

INTRODUCTION In the UK, 68% of early stage cancer patients undergo surgical resection, which may result in troublesome physiological and psychosocial symptoms from scars associated with this curative- intent surgery. We evaluated a 12-month service offering ScarWork, a light-touch manual therapy, to improve our understanding of this novel intervent...

Lymphoedema is one of the most feared consequences of cancer treatment. Currently incurable, this chronic condition may be disfiguring, distressing, and disabling. Acupuncture has the potential to improve quality of life for people with or at-risk of cancer treatment-related lymphoedema (CTRL). This two-part series discusses how acupuncturists can...

Despite a growing body of research and clinical guidelines advocating for acupuncture, its adoption in healthcare systems remains limited. This manuscript explores the considerable gap between evidence-based recommendations for acupuncture and its implementation, while providing practical examples of collaborative and integrative use of acupuncture...

Background Up-to-date recommendations for the safe practice of acupuncture in integrative oncology are overdue with new cancer treatments and an increase in survivors with late effects of disease; 17 years have elapsed since Filshie and Hester’s 2006 guidelines. During 2022/2023 an expert panel assembled to produce updated recommendations aiming to...

For over two decades, Beverley de Valois and Teresa Young have conducted research into using acupuncture in the supportive care of cancer survivors. In this article, they describe the distinctive characteristics of both their environment and their approach to acupuncture research. They also share key learnings gleaned from their experience.

Purpose While clinical trials provide valuable data about efficacy of interventions, findings often do not translate into clinical settings. We report real world clinical outcomes of a 15-year service offering breast cancer survivors auricular acupuncture to manage hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) associated with adjuvant hormonal treatments. Th...

Purpose While clinical trials provide valuable data about efficacy of interventions, findings often do not translate into clinical settings. We report real world clinical outcomes of a 15-year service offering breast cancer survivors auricular acupuncture to manage hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) associated with adjuvant hormonal treatments. Th...

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, yet there is little information about using acupuncture to support people living with and beyond the disease. A philanthropically-funded hospital-based outpatient acupuncture service facilitated long-term treatment for colorectal cancer survivors experiencing consequences of cancer t...

Introduction A feasibility study of acupuncture for quality of life in cancer patients is planned. The pragmatic randomised controlled trial will aim to assess the feasibility of training radiographers to administer acupuncture to their patients undergoing radiotherapy intended to cure their cancer. The preliminary phase covered in this paper aimed...

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, yet there is little information about using acupuncture to support people living with and beyond the disease. A philanthropically-funded hospital-based outpatient acupuncture service facilitated long-term treatment for colorectal cancer survivors experiencing consequences of cancer t...

Complementary and integrative treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga, are used by increasing numbers of cancer patients to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. In addition, such treatments may have other important and currently overlooked benefits by reducing tissue stiffness and improving mobility. Recent advances in canc...

Background. Lymphoedema, a distressing consequence of cancer treatment, has significant negative impact on health-related quality of life. Multidisciplinary approaches are needed to improve physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa), two modalities of traditional East Asian medicine, may contribute to improved outco...

This paper presents case studies of five men diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, who participated in a project to assess the potential for using the NADA ear acupuncture protocol to improve wellbeing. Selected for their diversity, they illustrate the range of diagnoses, treatments, and associated bothersome symptoms experienced by prostate c...

Abstract This paper presents case studies of three patients with non-cancer-related lymphoedema of the lower extremities, who participated in a project to assess the potential for using acupuncture and moxibustion as an adjunct to usual lymphoedema care. They illustrate how people with lymphoedema and complex co-morbidities (including morbid obesit...

Background: Hot flashes and night sweats (HF&NS) are major side-effects of adjuvant hormonal treatments for breast cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) five-point ear acupuncture protocol to reduce HF&NS and improve physical and emotional well-being fo...

Within a three-step mixed-methods study to investigate using acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) in the management of cancer treatment-related upper body lymphoedema, Step 2 obtained preliminary data about: 1) whether acu/moxa can improve quality of life, 2) the most troublesome symptoms, and 3) adverse effects. An exploratory single-arm observa...

INVOLVING PATIENTS IN DESIGNING RESEARCH INTO USING ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BREAST CANCER RELATED LYMPHOEDEMA Beverley de Valois, Teresa Young, E Melsome Background The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) encourages active involvement of patients and public in health care research. This is to ensure that researc...

Background: Acupuncture in lymphoedema management is controversial, with assumptions it will introduce infection or exacerbate swelling. Aims: This three-step, patient-centred, mixed-methods study assessed acceptability, impact on quality of life, and adverse events of traditional acupuncture as an adjunct to maintenance care for people with lympho...

Using acupuncture in lymphoedema management is controversial, as it is feared that it may introduce infection or exacerbate lymphoedema. This paper presents case studies of four cancer survivors who participated in an exploratory study investigating the use of acupuncture and moxibustion as an adjunct to usual care for lymphoedema to promote wellbe...

Women taking tamoxifen experience hot flashes and night sweats (HF&NS); acupuncture may offer a nonpharmaceutical method of management. This study explored whether traditional acupuncture (TA) could reduce HF&NS frequency, improve physical and emotional well-being, and improve perceptions of HF&NS. DESIGN/SETTINGS/LOCATION: This was a single-arm ob...

This paper describes the annual conference, this year held in York on 24 April 2008, which brings together researchers from around the UK and beyond who have an interest in the development of strategies for research in complementary and alternative medicine. This year’s event was held in York, and was attended by sixty academics, students and pract...

In a research study to investigate the use of acupuncture to manage hot flushes and night sweats in women taking tamoxifen for early breast cancer, the author explored the use of clearing blocks to treatment. Blocks to treatment are phenomena in the Five Elements theoretical framework of acupuncture practice, and are not often explored in research...

Hot flushes and night sweats are a major problem for women having adjuvant hormonal treatment for breast cancer. We explored using a standardised ear acupuncture protocol delivered in small group clinics as an option to manage these side effects. Qualitative research aimed to elicit the opinions of women who received this treatment. Sixteen women t...

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that evolved from ancient Oriental theories and practices of medicine. Since the 1970s, it has become increasingly popular in the West as a means of preventing and treating a variety of disorders. In cancer care, it is used to complement conventional management, helping to control cancer symptoms and the side...

Following encouraging results from research investigating the use of individualised, traditional acupuncture to manage treatment side effects in women with early breast cancer, the author conducted a follow-up study to explore the use of the NADA protocol in the same clinical context. This article charts her discoveries in applying the NADA protoco...

Aromatherapy is a very popular form of complementary therapy amongst cancer patients. Yet, its benefits are often diminished because it is a pleasant form of therapy. As medical and scientific scrutiny on its benefits increases, it remains important to identify and measure the benefits as perceived by the patients themselves. This article reports t...

Hormone therapy forms part of the treatment regime for breast cancer. This consists of administering drugs that block the oestrogen receptors on the breast cancer cells, in order to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence or spread. This is a form of adjuvant treatment, and a drug called "tamoxifen" is the most common form of hormonal adjuvant...