Evidence, safety and recommendations for when to use acupuncture for treating cancer related symptoms: a narrative review

Abstract

Background Recently research on acupuncture for cancer related symptoms has significantly increased. To what extent have medical professionals recommended to use acupuncture in light of that evidence? Methods Evidence of effectiveness and safety was found by searching Pubmed for reviews to identify for what conditions and general results. Publications that recommend acupuncture in oncology were searched in the database of an ongoing general search for publications that recommend acupuncture. This database was developed by searching google for publications that recommend the use of acupuncture with the terms ‘name of symptom’ and ‘clinical practice guideline’ or ‘treatment guideline’. Results Acupuncture is moderately or weakly effective for 19 symptoms in patients with cancer and cancer survivors. Acupuncture is a safe therapy in cancer care if administered by trained acupuncturists. Acupuncture is targeted to improve symptoms associated with the cancer and different cancer treatments, not to treat the cancer itself. More than 350 publications by clinical practice guideline groups and expert groups, including public health statements made by national and government agencies recommended the use of acupuncture for 61 cancer related symptoms many with positive evidence of effectiveness. Conclusion The strength of evidence is weak for many indications, however the evidence for many standard therapies is either not very strong or if stronger, the incidence of adverse events is more, which makes acupuncture a treatment option despite the weak evidence. We have found evidence that many oncologists around the world have started to incorporate acupuncture into the treatment of various cancer related symptoms.

Acupuncture therapy for radiotherapy-induced adverse effects: a protocol for systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

“…Modern technology has suggested that acupuncture can modulate neurological processes within the central nervous system (30), stimulate the autonomic nervous system and increase peripheral blood flow (16), which generally benefits patients undergoing radiation despite mechanism remains partly understood (24,31). Since acupuncture theories and needling instruments gradually developed, a growing number of acupuncture therapies have emerged in the meantime, making clinical application a manifold yet tough decision as it remains inconclusive which treatment can reap the greatest benefits.…”

“…One largesample meta-analysis described moxibustion can reduce gastrointestinal toxicities of radiotherapy (21). Despite several researches held discrepant attitudes towards different acupuncture therapies (22)(23)(24), an updated review could be feasible as researchers have gradually poured attention to this topic. Therefore, we hold the ambition for assessing the efficacy and safety of various acupuncture therapies for different RIAE by performing a Bayesian network metaanalysis (NMA).…”

Acupuncture as a Treatment Within Integrative Health for Palliative Care: A Brief Narrative Review of Evidence and Recommendations

“…16 Oncological palliative care recommendations. In a previous publication, we reported on the number of recommendations on the use of acupuncture in oncology, 81 while 788 BIRCH ET AL.…”

Acupuncture for palliative cancer pain management: systematic review

“… 27 This has already been recommended in Clinical Practice Guideline through expert groups in oncology. 28 29 …”