Electroacupuncture shows promise in breast cancer survivors, UC Irvine-led study finds
Nondrug approach may help improve cognitive function, reduce psychological distress
Orange, Calif. — Researchers at UC Irvine have found that electroacupuncture may help improve cognitive function and reduce psychological distress among breast cancer survivors experiencing persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms.
The study, published recently in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, highlights a potential nondrug approach to addressing issues such as “brain fog,” fatigue, insomnia and emotional distress that often linger after cancer treatment.
Led by corresponding author Alexandre Chan, professor and founding chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, the randomized, double-blind pilot clinical trial evaluated whether targeting specific acupuncture points associated with neurological and psychological function could improve patient outcomes. Lead author Quinton Ng, now at Yale University, conducted the research as part of his doctoral training at UC Irvine.
The study was conducted in collaboration with UCI Health, the UC Irvine School of Medicine, the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health, and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The study was supported by the California Breast Cancer Research Program and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center's Anti-Cancer Challenge.
Relieving cognitive symptoms
“This study provides evidence that a targeted electroacupuncture approach may help address the cluster of cognitive and related symptoms – such as insomnia, fatigue and psychological distress – that many breast cancer survivors experience,” Chan said.
“Current guidelines support the use of acupuncture to manage distress in people with cancer. However, these recommendations often lack precision. It’s time to step up and further optimize how integrative therapies are delivered to patients.”
Advances in detection and treatment have pushed breast cancer survival rates above 90%, leaving more than 4 million survivors in the United States. However, many continue to face long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life.
“Patients often report feeling unprepared for the cognitive and emotional challenges that persist after treatment,” Chan said.
“We need robust scientific evidence to show how effective interventions can be integrated into their treatment in order to reduce survivors’ symptoms and improve their healing journeys. Our randomized, controlled trial incorporated multiple aspects, including cognitive testing, brain imaging and blood-based biomarkers, to understand the mechanisms underlying our intervention.”
Measurable improvements in 10-week trial
The UC Irvine-led team conducted a 10-week trial involving 35 breast cancer survivors, the majority of whom reported multiple co-occurring symptoms. They were randomly assigned to receive weekly electroacupuncture treatments targeting either neuropsychiatric-specific acupoints or nonspecific control acupoints.
Participants receiving targeted electroacupuncture showed significant improvements in attention and psychological distress. Nearly 43% of those in the targeted group experienced measurable cognitive enhancement, compared to 12.5% in the control group.
Brain imaging revealed increased gray matter volume in patients getting targeted treatment, and improvements in cognition were associated with favorable changes in brain network connectivity. Numerous biomarkers related to neuroinflammation were also reduced after electroacupuncture. The treatment was well tolerated, with only mild side effects reported.
“These results suggest that where acupuncture is applied matters,” Chan said. “Targeting acupoints linked to specific brain and neurological functions appears to produce measurable changes not only in symptoms but also in their biomarkers and in the brain.”
Need for larger studies
Electroacupuncture builds on traditional acupuncture by applying a mild electrical current to needles, potentially enhancing its therapeutic effects. Researchers said the practice could provide a treatment option to medications, which can carry risks of side effects, dependency and interactions with ongoing cancer therapies.
Derived from a pilot study, the findings are preliminary but promising, and the research team is calling for larger, multicenter trials to confirm the results and better understand the biological mechanisms behind electroacupuncture’s effects. If validated, the approach could help establish standardized, evidence-based acupuncture protocols for cancer survivorship care.
Originally published on news.uci.edu.
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