Evidence mapPaperPMID 41998196Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

The effect of acupuncture on hot flashes and sleep disturbances in women with breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy: a pre-post quasi-interventional study.

Carla Amato, Paolo Iovino, Angelamaria Becorpi, Giulia Borsotti, Icro Meattini, Luca Visani, Yari Longobucco, Khadija El Aoufy, Camilla Elena Magi, Stefano Bambi and 2 more

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Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Carla AmatoDepartment of Oncology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. amato.carla97@gmail.com.
Paolo IovinoHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Angelamaria BecorpiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Giulia BorsottiIntegrated Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Icro MeattiniDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "M. Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Luca VisaniRadiation Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Yari LongobuccoHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Khadija El AoufyHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Camilla Elena MagiHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Stefano BambiHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Laura RaseroHealth Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Vittorio LimatolaIntegrated Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although long-term endocrine therapy effectively reduces recurrence risk, it often causes burdensome side effects such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances, negatively affecting treatment adherence and quality of life. Acupuncture, with its safety profile, has gained attention as a complementary approach for managing these symptoms. This study aimed to assess the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes and sleep disturbances in breast cancer survivors treated with endocrine therapy.

methodsA longitudinal pre-post intervention single-center study was conducted. Hot flashes and sleep disturbances were measured using the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks, corresponding to the last acupuncture session. Paired t-tests were used to compare the means of study variables across pre- and post-treatment periods.

resultsSignificant improvements were observed at 8 weeks compared to baseline, with a mean difference (MD) of 1.25 (p = 0.002) in the HFRDIS total score and 2.96 (p < 0.001) in the PSQI total score. There were also significant improvements in the PSQI components: subjective sleep quality (MD = 0.68, p < 0.001), sleep latency (MD = 1.25, p = 0.002), sleep disturbances (MD = 0.45, p < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction (MD = 0.57, p = 0.001).

conclusionThe results suggest that acupuncture is a safe, well-tolerated, and potentially effective treatment for reducing hot flashes and improving sleep quality in breast cancer survivors with menopausal symptoms.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyAntineoplastic Agents, HormonalBreast NeoplasmsHot FlashesSleep Wake DisordersAdultAgedFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSleep QualityAntineoplastic Agents, HormonalAcupunctureBreast neoplasmsHot flashesSleep–wake disorders

Identifiers

PMID41998196

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.