Tong, T., Pei, C., Chen, J., Lv, Q., Zhang, F., & Cheng, Z. (2018). Efficacy of acupuncture therapy for chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients. Medical Science Monitor, 24, 2919–2927.
To determine the efficacy of acupuncture in decreasing chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment
Eligibility included self-report of memory concerns prior to chemotherapy. Acupuncture was administered daily for five days for four weeks, followed by a three-day rest period, then this process was repeated for another four weeks for a total of eight weeks. Sterile, disposable needles (40 mm long and 0.25 mm in diameter) were inserted at the following puncture points: Baihui, Sishencong, Taixi as well as other sites as indicated based on patient symptoms. After acupuncture stimulation was initiated, needles remained in situ for 30 minutes. Neurological assessment, incorporating subjective and objective measures of cognition function, as well as serum BDNF levels, were evaluated prior to the initial acupuncture treatment and repeated after the final acupuncture therapy was completed.
PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment
Prospective longitudinal randomized study
The intervention group was observed to have significant improvement from baseline to 8 weeks on FACT-COG scales for perceived cognitive functioning (p < 0.001), perceived cognitive impairments (p = 0.027) and perceived cognitive abilities (p = 0.014) in contrast to the control group. Similarly, although the intervention group improved in CDT (p = 0.002) and one subtest of the AVLT for recognition (AVLT3, p = 0.026), there was no improvement in the control group. However, no differences were found in other objective measurements of cognitive functioning (e.g., VFT, AVLT1, AVLT2, SDMT, TMT-B). Those who completed acupuncture treatment had a significant increase in BDNF expression (p < 0.01). Of note, BDNF expression was found to be positively correlated with the subjective (FACT-COG, PCA) and objective measures (AVLT3, CDT) that improved in the treatment group (p < 0.005).
Acupuncture may be an effective treatment to alleviate cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Acupuncture may improve some cognitive functions during the immediate post-chemotherapy interval in patients receiving treatment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are needed to validate its effectiveness and determine whether these results are sustainable.