How effective is acupuncture in treating hot flashes in breast cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Genlan Zhang; Cui Gao; Zining Guo; Wenrui Zhao; Xufang Xu; Huaneng Wen; Yaoxuan Li; Run Lin; Nenggui Xu; Shaoyang Cui

doi:10.3389/fonc.2025.1543938

How effective is acupuncture in treating hot flashes in breast cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Front Oncol. 2025 Mar 17:15:1543938. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1543938. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Genlan Zhang^{1

2}, Cui Gao^{1

2}, Zining Guo³, Wenrui Zhao^{1

2}, Xufang Xu^{1

2}, Huaneng Wen⁴, Yaoxuan Li¹, Run Lin¹, Nenggui Xu³, Shaoyang Cui¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital (Fu Tian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
² The Sixth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
³ South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.

Abstract

Background: Although acupuncture is recommended for managing breast cancer-related hot flashes, the level of evidence is limited. With the updating of randomized controlled trials, it is necessary to reassess its efficacy.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: Up to March 2024, we retrieved data from nine databases and used Stata software (version 14.0, version 17.0) and RevMan software (version 5.3) to conduct a meta-analysis. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias assessment tool was used for methodological assessment of the risk of bias, and the GRADEpro GDT online assessment tool was used for evidence evaluation.

Results: In total, 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involved 963 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The result of risk of bias revealed that the included RCTs exhibited a high risk of bias, primarily attributable to deficiencies in randomization and blinding methods. The results of primary meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture can improved the hot flash symptom scale score (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.24; P < 0.05). However, acupuncture does not reduce the frequency of hot flashes(SMD, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.75 to 0.36; P = 0.48). Further subgroup analyses, including the type of control group and the duration of needle retention, etc. showed different results, highlighting the necessity for further research. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of these finding. In addition, due to various issues, the level of evidence is low.

Conclusions: Although acupuncture treatment for hot flashes in breast cancer shows potential, the evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture is still lacking due to various factors such as bias risk and significant differences between studies, and more high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024531542.

Keywords: acupuncture; breast cancer; hot flashes; meta-analysis; systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review