Effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cancer survivors with insomnia: an exploratory analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with poor sleep. This study examined the effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on serum BDNF and sleep outcomes in cancer survivors with insomnia. Methods: This was an exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial (n = 160) comparing acupuncture versus CBT-I for cancer survivors with insomnia. Interventions were delivered over 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and week 8. Serum BDNF was evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sleep was evaluated with the insomnia severity index and consensus sleep diary. Pearson correlations between BDNF and sleep outcomes were calculated. Data analysis was limited to 87 survivors who provided serum samples. Results: Among 87 survivors, the mean age was 61.9 (SD: 11.4) years, 51.7% were women, and 24.1% were non-White. Mean serum BDNF did not significantly increase in acupuncture (n = 50) or CBT-I (n = 37) groups. When analysis was restricted to patients with low baseline BDNF (i.e. levels below the sample median of 47.1 ng/mL), the acupuncture group (n = 22) demonstrated a significant 7.2 ng/mL increase in mean serum BDNF (P = 0.03), whereas the CBT-I group (n = 21) demonstrated a non-significant 2.9 ng/mL increase (P = 0.28). Serum BDNF was not significantly correlated with sleep outcomes (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: Among cancer survivors with insomnia and low baseline BDNF, acupuncture significantly increased serum BDNF levels; however, the clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation. Trial registration no. NCT02356575 (ClinicalTrials.gov)

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as an Indicator for Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A Systematic Review

“…Liou et al [22] investigated the relationship between BDNF level in serum and treatment type (cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, CBT-I; and acupuncture). All interventions lasted for eight weeks.…”

Electroacupuncture for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Clinical Feasibility Study

“…49 To target these diverse factors, a variety of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions have been studied to manage cognitive alterations, 6 and studies using acupuncture and electroacupuncture have also been conducted to reveal its effectiveness. 13 - 15 …”

“…49 To target these diverse factors, a variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions have been studied to manage cognitive alterations, 6 and studies using acupuncture and electroacupuncture have also been conducted to reveal its effectiveness. [13][14][15] Acupuncture has long been shown to be effective in various systems and symptoms by activating neurophysiological effects and modulating the immune system, metabolism, and the gastrointestinal system. 50 In addition, acupuncture and electroacupuncture have shown improvements in cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease by enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission and trophic factor release, protecting cerebral neurons from apoptosis and oxidative stress, improving synaptic plasticity, and reducing the levels of abnormal proteins.…”

“…12 Moreover, recent studies have also reported the effectiveness of acupuncture in CRCI. [13][14][15][16] Similarly, several studies of electroacupuncture, which stimulate acupoints by electrical stimulation via inserted acupuncture needles, 17 have shown its efficacy in various neurological diseases, including MCI, 18,19 dementia, 20 and Parkinson's disease. 21 Compared with acupuncture, electroacupuncture has reported to produce a higher intensity of stimulation on acupoints and is progressively being widely used for its adjustable strength, frequency and easy quantification in the clinic.…”

The therapeutic effect of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing on the treatment of anxiety insomnia in college students: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The essentials of Taijiquan movements are based on the 24-style simplified Taijiquan compiled by the State Sports Commission (now the State Sports General Administration) in 1956 as the standard. The treatment groups will also carry out acupoint pressing training in the acupuncture and massage laboratory of Chengdu university of traditional Chinese medicine, mainly training Baihui (DU20), Shenting (DU24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shenmen (HT7), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint positioning and thumb pressing and kneading techniques ( 17 ), while the pressing and kneading are required. Generally, pressing for about 1 min.…”