Evaluation of Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy- A Pragmatic Randomized Trial

The aim of this trial is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy compared to routine care.

At the Mammazentrum Hamburg, Germany, patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy have the opportunity to get acupuncture in addition to conventional therapy to maintain quality of life and to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy such as gastrointestinal disorders. In this randomized trial we aim to investigate the effectiveness of additional acupuncture compared to routine care in patients with breast cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed breast cancer (invasive, intraductal, hormone-sensitive and not hormone-sensitive, only locoregional metastases)
• current chemotherapy at Mammazentrum Hamburg with regimen FEC/DOC or EC/DOC
• willingness to receive acupuncture within the next 6 month if randomized in acupuncture group
• willingness to refrain from acupuncture within the next 6 month if randomized in control group
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• distant metastases
• blood coagulation disorder and/or current use of anticoagulants
• serious acute or chronic mental or physical disorders
• clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia symptoms
• insufficient German language ability