Researchers in Italy have concluded that acupuncture with enhanced self-care is an effective intervention for managing hot flushes and improving the quality of life in menopausal women with breast cancer. A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial involving 190 women, compared enhanced self-care plus acupuncture (85 women), with enhanced self-care alone (105 women). Both groups received a booklet on managing menopause, to be followed for at least 12 weeks. The acupuncture group in addition received 10 acupuncture sessions.
Compared with self-care alone, the acupuncture group by the end of treatment had a significantly lower hot flush score. This remained the case at three- and six-month follow-ups. Acupuncture was also associated with fewer other menopausal symptoms and higher quality of life.
(Acupuncture As an Integrative Approach for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28 March 2016 epub ahead of print.)