Hot flashes and night sweats (HF&NS) are major side-effects of adjuvant hormonal treatments for breast cancer.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) five-point ear acupuncture protocol to reduce HF&NS and improve physical and emotional well-being for women receiving adjuvant treatments for breast cancer.
Design:
This trial was a single-arm observational study that used before-and-after measurements.
Setting:
The trial was conducted at a National Health Service cancer treatment center in southern England.
Patients:
The subjects included women with early breast cancer, ≥35 years old, ≥6 months post–active cancer treatment, receiving tamoxifen ≥6 months, and self-reporting ≥4 HF&NS incidents/24-hours for ≥3 months.
Intervention:
Fifty participants completed weekly NADA treatment for 8 weeks in small groups of ≤5 patients.
Main Outcome Measures:
The factors examined were changes in scores at end of treatment over baseline for HF&NS frequency, physical, and emotional well-being, and perception of HF&NS as a problem.
Results
: Mean HF&NS frequency was reduced by 35.9% (95% confidence interval: 25.4–45.4, p<0.0001, n=47). Statistical and clinical improvements were recorded for Anxiety/Fears, Depressed Mood, Memory/Concentration, Sleep Problems, Somatic Symptoms, and Vasomotor Symptoms. Perceptions of HF&NS as a problem were reduced by 2.2 points (standard deviation=2.23, n=48, t=7.22, p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
NADA ear acupuncture may be a simple nonpharmacological method of managing breast-cancer treatment–related HF&NS.
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