Acupuncture for Breast Cancer
Trial Summary
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be currently receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy to participate.
What data supports the idea that Acupuncture for Breast Cancer is an effective treatment?
The available research shows that acupuncture can help reduce some side effects of hormone therapy in breast cancer patients, such as hot flashes, fatigue, and stiffness. One study found moderate improvements in these symptoms, although it noted that more large-scale research is needed. Another study reported significant improvements in symptoms like poor sleep, fatigue, and pain after acupuncture treatments. Overall, acupuncture appears to be a promising alternative treatment for managing certain side effects of breast cancer therapies.12345
What safety data exists for acupuncture in breast cancer treatment?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe for breast cancer patients, with serious adverse events being rare. Mild adverse events such as bruising, pain, swelling, skin infection, hematoma, headache, and menstrual bleeding have been reported. Systematic reviews indicate that while acupuncture is effective for managing treatment-related symptoms, the safety data is often inadequately reported, and more rigorous trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.16789
Is acupuncture a promising treatment for breast cancer?
What is the purpose of this trial?
The objectives of this study to explore whether acupuncture can improve the psychoneurological symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance) in survivors of breast cancer and explore biomarker changes after the acupuncture intervention. Acupuncture treatments will be provided to breast cancer survivors twice weekly for 5 weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking women who finished primary breast cancer treatment (stages 0-III) at least 3 months ago but within the last 5 years, are on adjuvant endocrine therapy, and suffer from pain, fatigue, or sleep issues with a severity of β₯3. Excluded are those with recent psychiatric hospitalization, bleeding disorders, pregnancy or inability to complete study procedures.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive acupuncture treatments twice weekly for 5 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is already approved in United States, European Union, China for the following indications:
- Pain management
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Neuropathy
- Pain management
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Pain management
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Neuropathy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Illinois at Chicago
Lead Sponsor