Expectancy Effect of Acupuncture on Cancer-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Previous reviews have reported the efficacy of acupuncture in managing cancer-related symptoms. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews examining how patients' expectancy regarding acupuncture influences treatment outcomes in the context of cancer survivorship.

9 databases were searched for articles published through August 2023. The authors included acupuncture studies that reported on patient expectancy for the effectiveness of acupuncture.

10 studies were included in this review. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions) tool.

5 studies explored the relationship between expectancy and cancer-related outcomes, and in 3, expectancy was significantly associated with reduced pain, frequency of bowel movements, and severity of insomnia. Male and older patients, nonresponders to acupuncture, and those with lower education levels had lower expectancy regarding acupuncture.

Healthcare providers should assess patient expectancy to comprehensively understand its role in improving acupuncture outcomes.