Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
05:19
A Preliminary Study on Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension
Published on: September 1, 2023
Vasomotor symptoms decrease in women with breast cancer randomized to treatment with applied relaxation or
1Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Unit of Medical Psychology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden.
Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society
|January 5, 2006
Summary
Applied relaxation and electro-acupuncture significantly reduced hot flushes in breast cancer survivors. Both treatments offered sustained relief for vasomotor symptoms up to six months post-intervention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flushes, are common side effects for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
- These symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and treatment adherence.
- Non-hormonal, evidence-based interventions are needed to manage these side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of applied relaxation and electro-acupuncture in managing vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
- To compare the effects of these two interventions over a 12-week treatment period and a 6-month follow-up.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 38 postmenopausal women with breast cancer experiencing vasomotor symptoms.
- Participants were assigned to either electro-acupuncture (n=19) or applied relaxation (n=19) for 12 weeks.
- Hot flush frequency was recorded daily, with data analyzed before, during, and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Both applied relaxation and electro-acupuncture groups showed a significant reduction in the number of hot flushes per 24 hours after 12 weeks of treatment.
- The reduction in hot flushes was sustained at 6 months of follow-up in both treatment arms.
- The Kupperman Index scores, measuring symptom severity, also significantly decreased in both groups and remained stable post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Applied relaxation and electro-acupuncture are effective non-pharmacological options for managing vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors.
- These interventions demonstrate potential for long-term symptom relief.
- Further research is warranted to establish these therapies as standard care options for this patient population.
