Clinical Benefits of Acupuncture for the Reduction of Hormone Therapy–Related Side Effects in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Importance. Acupuncture can help reduce unpleasant side effects associated with endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Nevertheless, comprehensive evaluation of current evidence from randomized controlled trials(RCTs) is lacking. Objective. To estimate the efficacy of acupuncture for the reduction of hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients. Evidence review. RCTs of acupuncture in breast cancer patients that examined reductions in hormone therapy–related side effects were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases through April 2016. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the 5.2 Cochrane Handbook standards, and CONSORT and STRICTA (Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture) statements. Intervention. Interventions included conventional acupuncture treatment compared with no treatment, placebo, or conventional pharmaceutical medication. Major outcome measures were the alleviation of frequency and symptoms and the presence of hormone therapy–related side effects. Findings/Results. A total of 17 RCTs, including a total of 810 breast cancer patients were examined. The methodological quality of the trials was relatively rigorous in terms of randomization, blinding, and sources of bias. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that acupuncture had moderate effects in improving stiffness. No significant differences were observed in hot flashes, fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, Kupperman index, general well-being, physical well-being, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL). Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional stiffness. However, further large-sample trials with evidence-based design are still needed to confirm these findings.

Acupuncture for Hot Flashes in Cancer Patients: Clinical Characteristics and Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis as Predictors of Treatment Response

“…A heterogeneous response rate of acupuncture for hot flashes has been reported by many studies 12,19,20 and observed by our acupuncture practitioners. This should not be surprising considering well-known variations in disease response to many conventional treatments.…”

“…Another large randomized clinical trial found that compared with enhanced usual care alone, the addition of acupuncture was superior in reducing hot flashes and improving quality of life among breast cancer patients. 18 A heterogeneous response rate of acupuncture for hot flashes has been reported by many studies 12,19,20 and observed by our acupuncture practitioners. This should not be surprising considering well-known variations in disease response to many conventional treatments.…”

Alternative Treatments for Cancer Prevention and Cure [Part 1]

“…Acupuncture use among breast cancer patients in the US is currently as high as 16% to 63% [606]. At the current time breast cancer related lymphedema is incurable but well manageable by a number of physical therapy modalities, especially complete decongestive therapy (CDT) [607]. Obesity is a factor that deteriorates the CDT efficacy.…”

Cancer Patients for Pain Complementaries and Integrated Approaches Used in Palliative Care

“…Acupuncture, which is one of the important elements of traditional Chinese medicine, is a scientific treatment that enables the body to regain its balance as a result of stimulation of special points in the body with needles. Acupuncture is effective in reducing chronic pain in cancer patients by exerting secretion of enkephalins and increasing serotonin levels from endogenous opioids known to have an effect on regulating mental and psychological state [33][34][35]. In studies with cancer patients with pain, acupuncture has been found to be a complementary, self-medicating, nonmedication treatment that reduces cancer-related symptoms (pain, digestive problems, neuropathy), and is selfmedicating [36][37][38][39].…”