Chiu, H.Y., Hsieh, Y.J., & Tsai, P.S. (2016). Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture to reduce cancer-related pain. European Journal of Cancer Care. Advance online publication.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture in reducing cancer-related pain associated with treatment types
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Eleven trials focused on radiation-induced pain, and five focused on surgery-induced pain. The majority of trials (17) focused on general cancer-related pain. Overall analysis showed that acupuncture reduced cancer-related pain with a small effect size (-0.45, 95% CI [-0.63, -0.26]). There was high and significant heterogeneity. In the 17 trials regarding cancer-related pain, the weighted mean effect size was -0.71 (95% CI [-0.94, -0.48]), without significant heterogeneity. Among trials examining radiation-related pain, no effect was found. For surgical-related pain, mean effect size for five randomized, controlled trials was -0.4 (95% CI [-0.69, -0.1]) with high heterogeneity. For patients receiving hormonal therapy, no significant effect was seen.
Acupuncture may be helpful in reducing chronic cancer pain and pain associated with surgical procedures.
Evidence regarding efficacy of acupuncture for pain is limited; however, findings from this meta-analysis suggest that it may be helpful for chronic and acute pain in patients with cancer. Effect sizes were small.