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How long do the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes persist in cancer patients?

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Abstract

Purpose

Acupuncture has been suggested as therapy for hot flashes in women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer. In this systematic review, we sought to evaluate the long-term effects on vasomotor symptoms after the end of a defined treatment period of acupuncture in women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer.

Methods

A literature search revealed 222 articles within the field. With defined exclusion criteria, we identified 17 studies. We also used the Jadad quality score and identified seven studies with a score of at least 3.

Results

Six of seven identified studies qualified for inclusion in an analysis that measured frequency of hot flashes weighted in relation to number of patients (n = 172). The average reduction from baseline to end of acupuncture (ranging between 5 and 12 weeks of treatment) showed 43.2 % reduction of hot flashes. At the last follow-up (mean 5.8 months, range 3–9 months) after the end of therapy, the weighted reduction from baseline was sustained at 45.6 % in the 153 of 172 patients (89 %) who were followed up.

Conclusions

Data from six prospective analyzed studies indicate at least 3-month effects after the end of acupuncture treatment for flashes in women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer. However, larger randomized trials with long-term follow-up will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

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Conflict of interest

We declare no conflicts of interest. We have control of primary data regarding our own publications of original articles, but not primary data from other authors whose publications are included in this systematic review. We agree to allow the journal to review primary data regarding our own publications if requested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Jessica W. Frisk, Mats L. Hammar & Anna-Clara E. Spetz Holm

  2. Clinical Department of Surgery, VHN, County Council Östergötland, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Jessica W. Frisk

  3. Osher Center for Intergrative Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Martin Ingvar

  4. Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Linköping, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Anna-Clara E. Spetz Holm

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  1. Jessica W. Frisk
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  2. Mats L. Hammar
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  4. Anna-Clara E. Spetz Holm
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Correspondence to Anna-Clara E. Spetz Holm.

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Frisk, J.W., Hammar, M.L., Ingvar, M. et al. How long do the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes persist in cancer patients?. Support Care Cancer 22, 1409–1415 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2126-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2126-2

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