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Reducing vasomotor symptoms with acupuncture in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

To evaluate true acupuncture to control acupuncture (CTRL) (non-insertive stimulation at non-acupuncture points) in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen suffering from hot flushes and sweatings. Eighty-four patients were randomized to receive either true acupuncture or CTRL twice a week for 5 weeks. Seventy-four patients were treated according to the protocol. In the true acupuncture group 42% (16/38) reported improvements in hot flushes after 6 weeks compared to 47% (17/36) in the CTRL group (95% CI, −28 to 18%). Both groups reported improvement regarding severity and frequencies in hot flushes and sweatings but no statistical difference was found between the groups. In a subanalysis regarding the severity of sweatings at night a statistically significant difference P = 0.03 was found in the true acupuncture group. Former experience of true acupuncture did not influence the perception of true acupuncture or CTRL. No significant differences in hormonal levels were found before and after treatment. In conclusion, convincing data that true acupuncture is more effective than CTRL in reducing vasomotor symptoms is still lacking. Our study shows that both true and CTRL reduce vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Nellie Nordman for contributing with her great knowledge in acupuncture and to the initiation of the study, the Oncologic centre of Stockholm-Gotland for the assistance with the randomization process and Christofer Lagerros for building the data base. Grants: The Cancer Society in Stockholm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Radiumhemmet, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Annelie Liljegren

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    Pia Gunnarsson

  3. Department of Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Britt-Marie Landgren

  4. Gynekologmottagningen Mörby Centrum Danderyd, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ninna Robéus

  5. Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    Hemming Johansson

  6. Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Samuel Rotstein

Authors
  1. Annelie Liljegren
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  2. Pia Gunnarsson
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  3. Britt-Marie Landgren
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  4. Ninna Robéus
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  5. Hemming Johansson
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  6. Samuel Rotstein
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Correspondence to Annelie Liljegren.

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Liljegren, A., Gunnarsson, P., Landgren, BM. et al. Reducing vasomotor symptoms with acupuncture in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen: a randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat 135, 791–798 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-010-1283-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-010-1283-3

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