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. 2021 May 5;23(7):82.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-021-01067-1.

Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Anorexia: a Review of the Current Evidence

Wenli Liu  1 , Gabriel Lopez  2 , Santhosshi Narayanan  2 , Aiham Qdaisat  3 , Yimin Geng  4 , Shouhao Zhou  5 , Michael Spano  2 , Susan Underwood  2 , Marie G Eclache  2 , Rony Dev  2 , Shalini Dalal  2 , Eduardo Bruera  2 , Lorenzo Cohen  2
Affiliations

Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Anorexia: a Review of the Current Evidence

Wenli Liu et al. Curr Oncol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Loss of appetite/anorexia is extremely common among cancer patients, affecting as many as half of newly diagnosed patients and 70% of patients with advanced disease. Effective management of this disabling symptom of cancer remains a major challenge in the field of oncology. We conducted a systematic review of the current evidence on acupuncture and/or moxibustion as an intervention for cancer-related anorexia.

Recent findings: Acupuncture, as a part of traditional Chinese medicine practice, has demonstrated effectiveness in managing many cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, especially chemotherapy-induced or postoperative nausea. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in treating cancer-related anorexia/loss of appetite is not clear. The current level of evidence is insufficient to make a definitive conclusion on the benefit of acupuncture/moxibustion for treating chronic cancer-related anorexia/appetite problems. Future large randomized controlled trials of high methodological quality are needed.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Anorexia; Cancer-related; Complimentary medicine; Integrative medicine; Loss of appetite.

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