Acupuncture

We did not find any published evidence that acupuncture has been investigated for improving treatment outcomes.

What is your body terrain? ›

Evidence of benefit

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (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 higher markers of immune function during cancer treatment among people with lung cancer treated with acupoint stimulation
• 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 higher markers of immune function without regard to treatment phase among people treated with acupuncture and moxibustion
• Preliminary evidence of higher immune activation after surgery among people treated with warm needle acupuncture and moxibustion
• Preliminary evidence of better hormone balance during chemotherapy among people with gastrointestinal cancer with cachexiaweakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of a higher marker of inflammatory response during chemotherapy among people with cachexia treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less disruption to antioxidanta molecule that can cause a free radical molecule to stabilize and become less reactive; an antioxidant can reduce harmful oxidation from free radicals levels during general anesthesia for radical surgery among people with intestinal cancer treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of lower inflammation after radical resection of colorectal cancer among people treated with warm needle acupuncture and moxibustion
• Preliminary evidence of better intestinal bacteria after colorectal resection surgery among people with colorectal cancer treated with warm needle acupuncture and moxibustion

No evidence of benefit

• No evidence of effectsoverall, 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. on immune function during hormone therapy among people with breast cancer treated with acupuncture in a combined analysis of studies
• No evidence of an effect on inflammation during hormone therapy among people treated with acupuncture in a combined analysis of studies

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

Good evidence of benefit

• Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less depression among people with cancer treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of less fatigue during or after cancer treatment among people treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of fewer hot flashes during cancer treatment, including hormone therapy, among people with breast cancer treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of fewer symptoms and pain related to chemotherapy-induced neuropathy among people treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of less cancer-related pain without regard to treatment phase among people treated with acupuncture, whether alone or in addition to conventional pain treatments
• Good evidence of less pain related to surgery among people with cancer treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of less stiffness but no evidence of an effect on quality of life during hormone therapy among people with breast cancer treated with acupuncture
• Good evidence of less sleep disturbance among people treated with acupuncture without regard to treatment phase
• Good evidence of better sleep quality scores during active cancer treatments among people with breast cancer treated with acupuncture compared to controls, although no evidence of an effectoverall, 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. compared to sham acupuncture

Modest evidence of benefit

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (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 anxiety before surgery among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of less therapy-induced bone marrow suppression during cancer treatment among people with lung cancer treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of less breathlessness among people with advanced diseases including cancer treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of less cancer-related fatigue without regard to treatment phase among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of less chemotherapy-induced diarrhea or nausea and vomiting among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest but somewhat conflicting evidence of fewer hot flashes without regard to treatment phase among people with cancer, mostly with breast cancer, treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of fewer adverse effects among people treated with acupuncture compared to non-hormonal medication for hot flashes
• Modest evidence of less pain related to aromatase inhibitors among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of better quality of life and physical function without regard to treatment phase among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of better physical performance and quality of life during conventional treatment among people treated with acupuncture
• Modest evidence of better quality of life among people with advanced disease treated with acupuncture

Preliminary evidence of benefit

• 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 or worry, irritation, and tenseness during or after chemotherapy among people treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of better white blood cell counts after radical resection of colorectal cancer among people treated with warm-needle acupuncture and moxibustion
• Preliminary evidence of better cognitive function due to less sleep disturbance among people with cancer treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of less nausea and vomiting among people treated with acupuncture without regard to treatment phase
• Preliminary evidence of quicker return of bowel function and less nausea and vomiting after colorectal cancer surgery among people treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of fewer dry mouth symptoms among people treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of fewer headaches during or after chemotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with acupuncture
• Preliminary evidence of better function during chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery among people treated with acupuncture

No evidence of benefit

• No evidence of an effectoverall, 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. on pain during chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy among people treated with acupuncture in combined analyses of studies
• No evidence of an effect on gastrointestinal symptoms among people treated with acupuncture in a combined analysis of studies
• No evidence of an effect on mood distress among people with cancer treated with acupuncture in combined analysis of studies
• Modest evidence of less effect than drugs that increase saliva (cholinergic agonists) in relieving symptoms of dry mouth among people with head and neck cancer treated with acupuncture
• No evidence of additional benefit to massage therapy for anxiety, mood, fatigue, nausea, or stress during autologous tissue breast reconstruction among people treated with acupuncture in a preliminary study

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

We did not find any published evidence that acupuncture has been investigated for reducing risk of cancer or recurrence.

• Recommended in clinical practice guidelines
• Widely used by integrative practitioners

See How do experts use acupuncture? ›

• Acupuncture is generally safe and well tolerated, although a few mild adverse events are seen in some people
• People with some conditions, such as bleeding disorders, lymphedema in the target limb, pregnancy, and more, may be advised not to undergo acupuncture

See Safety and precautions ›

• Available from a trained professional
• Moderate cost (between $500 US and $2000 US/year)

See Affordability and access ›