Electroacupuncture

• Insufficient evidencepreclinical evidence only OR clinical studies with such poor or unclear methodology that no conclusion can be drawn OR conflicting findings across clinical studies with no preponderance of evidence in one direction; conflicting evidence occurs when studies find conflicting effects (positive effect vs no effect or negative effect) with the same treatment and the same general study population (same cancer type, for example) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) (preclinicaltesting a drug, a procedure or another medical treatment in isolated cells or in animals; preclinical evidence is considered only an initial indication of possible effects in people evidence only) of anticancer effects

See preclinical evidence in Are you a health professional? ›

What is your body terrain? ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower markers of coagulation among women with a noncancer medical condition treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of higher immune activation among people with rectal cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of anti-inflammatory activity among people with cancer treated with electroacupuncture

See How can electroacupuncture help you? What the research says ›

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed RCTs, or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less vomiting during chemotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Modest evidence of lower scores on or fewer hot flashes among women with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture, including when compared to gabapentin
• Modest evidence of less self-reported sleep disturbance among people with cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less anxiety among people with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less depression among people with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less fatigue among people with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less nausea and vomiting after major breast surgery among people treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less pain among people with cancer treated with electroacupuncture and analgesic compared to analgesic alone, but not compared to sham
• Preliminary evidence of less surgery-related pain among people treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of fewer headaches during or after chemotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less chronic musculoskeletal pain among people with cancer treated with electroacupuncture compared to usual care
• Preliminary evidence of better activity and well-being among people with chronic pain treated with auricular electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of better sleep among people with breast cancer experiencing daily hot flashes treated with electroacupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of lower incidence of pneumonia and acute pulmonary injury after surgery for pulmonary carcinoma among people treated with electroacupuncture during surgery
• No evidence of benefitoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathydamage to the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord

See How can electroacupuncture help you? What the research says ›

We did not find any published studies investigating electroacupuncture for reducing cancer risk.

• Weak recommendation in two clinical practice guidelines, and no consensus on use in a third guideline
• Used by one of the integrative oncology programs we cite

See How do experts use electroacupuncture? ›

• Generally safe, although some usually mild side effects are possible; caution and supervision are needed for people with a pacemaker or implantable defibrillators, or who are pregnant, have seizure disorders, or are disoriented

See Safety and precautions ›

• Electroacupuncture needs to be administered by a trained professional.
• Sessions can cost $50 to $100 or more each, with total costs depending on the number of sessions.
• Overall moderate cost (between $500 US and $2000 US/year).

See Affordability and access ›