Using traditional acupuncture for hot flushes and night sweats in women taking tamoxifen – a pilot study

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of using traditional acupuncture to manage hot flushes and night sweats experienced by women taking tamoxifen as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Fifty-two women (> 6 months post active cancer treatment, on tamoxifen for at least 6 months, and with > 3 flushes or sweats in a 24-h period) were given eight acupuncture treatments administered at weekly intervals, according to traditional acupuncture diagnosis and individualised treatment plans.

Outcome measures included: Daily Diary Cards (measuring frequency and severity of occurrences), WHQ (Women’s Health Questionnaire), and a Subjective Measures: Hot Flush and Night Sweats Questionnaire. These were administered at baseline, and at 6, 10, 12 and 28 weeks.

Results

Fifty participants completed as per the protocol. Initial quantitative analysis indicates that the frequency of hot flushes was reduced from a mean of 10.75 to 6.5 per day (t = 0.0001). Overall 89% of participants had a reduction and 36% had at least a 50% reduction. Preliminary analysis of subjective feedback suggests that women felt this was a beneficial treatment for managing flushes and sweats, and for improving overall quality of life. To quote one participant: ‘It reduced hot flushes by 50% and the intensity from severe to moderate. Night sweats decreased to 1 per night instead of 3. Some nights had none at all… Generally, I feel a lot healthier and can do a lot more’.

Conclusion

It is possible to successfully introduce traditional acupuncture into an NHS setting, and this method of treatment has been found acceptable by both patients and oncology consultants. Acupuncture can play a role in reducing hot flushes and night sweats resulting from treatment with tamoxifen, and in improving overall well-being of cancer patients.