Journal article
Ear acupuncture for treating insomnia in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial
European Journal of Integrative Medicine, Vol.48, pp.2-2
12/2021
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Abstract
Introduction: Among females, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide with 40 to 70% of breast cancer survivors reporting sleep problems even years after diagnosis. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture on sleep quality in breast cancer survivors suffering from insomnia.
Methods: Fifty-two female breast cancer survivors with insomnia (mean age 55.73 ' 8.10 years) were randomized to either 10 treatments of auricular acupuncture within five weeks (n = 26) or to a single session of psychoeducation plus an insomnia advice booklet (n = 26). Both interventions were conducted in a group setting. The primary outcome was sleep quality (measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) at week 5. Secondary outcomes were inflammation parameters (Interleukin-6) at week 5, sleep quality at week 17 and week 29, and stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life and fatigue 5 weeks, 17 and 29 weeks after randomization.
Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed a significantly stronger increase of sleep quality in the auricular acupuncture group compared to the psychoeducation group (p=0.031) at week 5. Furthermore, auricular acupuncture improved stress (p=0.030), anxiety (p=0.001), and fatigue (p=0.006) at week 5 compared to psychoeducation. No significant group differences were found concerning the other outcomes at week 5 and on any outcome at week 17 and week 29. During the study period no serious adverse events occurred.
Conclusion: Ear acupuncture in a group setting may be a helpful and safe intervention in tackling sleep problems in breast cancer survivors in the short term and may reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue as well. Long-term effects remain questionable.
Details
- Title
- Ear acupuncture for treating insomnia in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial
- Creators
- Melanie Désirée Höxtermann - Kliniken Essen-MittePetra Voiss - Kliniken Essen-MitteHolger Cramer - Kliniken Essen-MitteHeidemarie Haller - Kliniken Essen-MitteKatja Buner - Kliniken Essen-MitteSherko Kümmel - Kliniken Essen-Mitte
- Publication Details
- European Journal of Integrative Medicine, Vol.48, pp.2-2
- Publisher
- Elsevier GmbH
- Identifiers
- 991013051707402368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2021 Published by Elsevier GmbH
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article