Acupuncture for cancer symptoms: Clinical application and longitudinal impact a retrospective observational real-world data study

TL;DR

This study shows acupuncture helps cancer patients with symptoms like pain and fatigue in real-world settings, with benefits lasting between sessions and requiring multiple treatments.

Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness for cancer symptoms, highlighting its feasibility and sustained benefits in routine outpatient care.

Findings

All symptoms showed statistical improvement by session two, with anxiety and hot flashes showing clinical improvement.

Benefits were sustained between sessions and similar across age and gender, though males and older adults used acupuncture less.

Adherence was high, and outpatient integration was feasible and sustainable.

Abstract

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture in oncology offer strong internal validity but limited generalizability. Real-world evidence is needed to assess feasibility, effectiveness, and adherence in routine practice.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of real-world data from cancer patients receiving group Traditional Chinese acupuncture (ACP) in an outpatient oncology setting (2015–2022). Symptoms (anxiety, fatigue, hot flashes, neuropathy, pain, sleep) were rated on a 0–10 numeric scale before each session. Clinical improvement was defined as a ≥ 1-point decrease in severity.

A total of 2,239 patients underwent ACP (83% female; mean age 57 ± 12; 57% breast cancer). Common symptoms included pain (61%), sleep issues (50%), fatigue (45%), hot flashes (42%), anxiety (40%), and neuropathy (40%); 68% had ≥ 2 symptoms, median baseline severity 5–6. Females and younger patients had higher symptom burden. By session two, all symptoms improved statistically, with anxiety and hot flashes showing clinical improvement; by session three, all improvements were statistically and clinically significant. Benefits were similar across age and gender. Adherent patients (≥ 2 sessions) were older with higher symptom burden.

Acupuncture appears effective for common cancer symptoms in real-world settings, with evidence suggesting that benefits are sustained between sessions and requiring multiple treatments for optimal effect. Both sexes and age groups experienced similar improvements, though utilization was lower among males and older adults. Expanding insurance coverage could improve access and reduce disparities. Adherence was high, and integration into outpatient oncology care proved feasible and sustainable. These findings warrant examination in RCTs.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-026-10372-z.

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