Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast Cancer

A recent paper in the American Society of Clinical Oncology entitled 'Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial' was published in 2012.

The purpose of the research was to asses the effectiveness of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer.  The researches set up a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture with enhanced usual cancer care.  The participants included 302 outpatients with breast cancer.  There was a random assignment of 1:3 ratio with 75 participants receiving the usual cancer care and the remaining 227 participants received usual care plus acupuncture treatments.

Patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can undergo these side effects of the enhanced usual care of breast cancer:

• Abdominal Pain
• Addiction
• Allergic Reactions
• Anemia
• Anxiety
• Appetite Changes
• Armpit Discomfort
• Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording)
• Back Pain
• Bleeding and Bruising Problems
• Blood Clots and Phlebitis
• Bone and Joint Pain
• Breathing Problems
• Chest Pain
• Cold and Flu Symptoms
• Constipation
• Coughing
• Dehydration
• Delayed Wound Healing
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• Dry Skin
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Endometrial Cancer 
• Endometriosis
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Fertility Issues
• Fever
• Gas (Flatulence)
• Hair Changes
• Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS) or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE)
• Headaches
• Hearing Problems
• Heart Problems
• Heartburn or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Hematoma (Blood Build-Up)
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
• High Cholesterol
• Hot Flashes
• Infection
• Injection Site Reaction
• Insomnia (Trouble Sleeping)
• Itching
• Kidney Problems
• Leg Cramps
• Liver Problems (Hepatotoxicity)
• Loss of Libido
• Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
• Low White Blood Cell Count
• Lung Problems
• Lymphedema
• Memory Loss
• Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms
• Mood Swings
• Mouth and Throat Sores (Mucositis)
• Muscle Pain (Myalgia)
• Nail Changes
• Nausea
• Neuropathy
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness
• Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
• Osteoporosis (Bone Loss)
• Pain
• Phantom Breast Pain
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Rash
• Runny Nose
• Scar Tissue Formation
• Seroma (Fluid Build-Up)
• Skin Discoloration
• Skin Sensitivity
• Sore Throat
• Stroke
• Swallowing Problems
• Sweating
• Swelling
• Taste and Smell Changes
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Urine Discoloration
• Vaginal Discharge
• Vaginal Dryness
• Vision and Eye Problems
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight Changes

This study was conducted to determine whether acupuncture would be a good adjunct therapy to decrease or remove Fatigue in the participants.  Although breast cancer treatment can cause all of the above symptoms the study focused on whether or not acupuncture would help cancer-related fatigue.  The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) was used as a measuring tool to determine how fatigued the patient was.  Other measurements included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General quality-of-life scale, and expectations of acupuncture effect.

The 227 patients were treated with acupuncture once a week for 6 weeks through needling three pairs of acupoints.  The 75 patients not receiving acupuncture were given a booklet with information about fatigue and its management.

The conclusion of this study was that acupuncture is an effective intervention for managing the symptom of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and improving patients' quality of life.

Of course it is my experience that acupuncture is helpful for all types of cancer side effects.  This study focused on breast cancer specifically but many cancer treatments are the same for other types of cancers so it is my understanding as a practitioner that acupuncture should be considered while dealing with any type of cancer.

If you are currently experiencing breast cancer or any other type of cancer and you are in the eastern Iowa region I would love to talk with you more and answer any questions you may have about the treatment I provide to cancer patients.  If you are not in my area I would be happy to field any questions you may have and direct you to an acupuncture practitioner in your area.

Dr. Betts