Acupuncture relieves menopausal discomfort in breast cancer patients: A prospective, double blinded, randomized study

Hot-flashes and disturbed night sleep are troublesome symptoms in patients suffering from breast cancer. Aim of the study was to test acupuncture as treatment for menopausal discomfort in breast cancer patients. 94 female patients were randomized to three study groups. 31 received acupuncture, 29 sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur (Heidelberg, Germany : 1977) Germany : 1977), 2013-01, Vol.56 (2), p.25-25
Main Authors: Bokmand, S, Flyger, H, Bollig, G.
Format: Article
Language:eng ; ger
Subjects:
Acupuncture
Breast cancer
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Journal Club
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pain Medicine
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Summary:Hot-flashes and disturbed night sleep are troublesome symptoms in patients suffering from breast cancer. Aim of the study was to test acupuncture as treatment for menopausal discomfort in breast cancer patients. 94 female patients were randomized to three study groups. 31 received acupuncture, 29 sham-acupuncture and 34 had no treatment. Plasma estradiol levels of the patients were measured to rule this out estradiol as cause of the effect. Side effects of the acupuncture treatment were registered. A significant reduction of hot flashes was found in the acupunture group (52 %) compared to the sham acupuncture group (24 %). Sleep disturbance was statistically significant improved in the acupuncture group compared with the sham-acupuncture and no-treatment groups. No side effects of the acupuncture treatment were registered. The results of the study suggest that acupuncture significantly relieves hot flashes and sleep disturbances in women treated for breast cancer.
ISSN:0415-6412
1439-4359
DOI:10.1016/j.dza.2013.06.006