Feasibility and Acceptability of Integrating Acupuncture for Management of Multiple Symptoms in Medically Underserved Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background/objectives: Breast cancer survivors undergoing long-term endocrine therapy often experience multiple symptoms, including pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of integrating acupuncture for symptom management in medically underserved breast cancer survivors.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at two clinics serving medically underserved populations. Breast cancer survivors (N = 62) were randomized to receive acupuncture (n = 31) or usual care (n = 31). The acupuncture group underwent 10 sessions over 5 weeks. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and Weeks 6 and 12.

Results: The majority of participants (55%) were Black, mean age was 55.2 ± 9.3 years, and 62.9% had a household income below $55,000. Retention (90.3%), engagement (93.1%), and acceptability (92.8%) rates were high, demonstrating that integrating acupuncture into care for medically underserved breast cancer survivors is both feasible and acceptable. At Week 6, the acupuncture group showed significant reduction compared to the usual care group in pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and the symptom cluster score. All improvements persisted to Week 12 except for those in anxiety.

Conclusions: Integrating acupuncture for symptom management in medically underserved breast cancer survivors is both feasible and acceptable. This approach offers potential benefits for reducing multiple symptoms and addressing health disparities.

Keywords: acupuncture; breast cancer survivors; health disparities; medically underserved; symptom management.

Figure 1

CONSORT flow diagram.