Acupuncture May Improve Joint Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that acupuncture may help relieve joint pain and stiffness in women treated with aromatase inhibitors for early breast cancer.
Aromatase inhibitors are used to suppress the production of estrogen in women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
The study divided 43 women taking an aromatase inhibitor for early breast cancer and experiencing musculoskeletal pain into two treatment groups. One group received true acupuncture, while the other group received sham acupuncture (superficial needle insertion at nonacupoint locations). Treatment was given twice a week for six weeks.
Women treated with true acupuncture experienced improvement in joint pain and stiffness over the course of the study. No such improvement was observed among women treated with sham acupuncture.
The results of this study suggest that acupuncture may help women manage joint pain and stiffness associated with aromatase inhibitor treatment.
