This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving quality of life and managing cancer-related symptoms during active therapy, among cancer survivors, and in palliative care for patients with cancer. In October 2020, PubMed, Scopus, and Central databases were searched for randomized controlled trials without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), pragmatic randomized trials (PRTs), and randomized crossover trials were included if acupuncture was the sole intervention and involved needle insertion at acupuncture points for symptom management in cancer care. Two updates were conducted in December 2021 and July 2022. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were carried out by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome assessed was health-related quality of life, while secondary outcomes included nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hot flashes, pain, neuropathy, insomnia, depression, dyspnea, anxiety, anorexia, constipation, cognitive impairment, and xerostomia. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each outcome. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A total of 91 RCTs, comprising 7,497 patients with cancer, were included. Acupuncture demonstrated greater post-intervention effects on quality of life compared to treatment as usual (TAU) (SMD = -0.49, 95% CI = −0.78, -0.19), but not in comparison to sham acupuncture (SMD = -0.08, 95% CI = −0.80, 0.63). At follow-up, no differences in quality of life were observed between acupuncture and TAU (SMD = -0.21, 95% CI = −0.63, 0.21) or sham acupuncture (SMD = -0.28, 95% CI = −1.99, 1.44). For secondary outcomes, acupuncture significantly improved symptoms such as depression, fatigue, joint pain, neuropathic pain, neuropathy, postoperative pain, and tumor pain compared to TAU. It also had beneficial effects on insomnia, nausea, and neuropathic pain when compared to sham acupuncture. This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture is effective in enhancing quality of life and alleviating symptoms, particularly pain, in patients with cancer.
Shaimaa Aboudamaah (Wed,) studied this question.