Preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of single-session acupuncture with infusion therapy at an academic cancer center.

Abstract

e24048 Background: Acupuncture is an evidence-based integrative oncology treatment gaining popularity among cancer patients and providers for addressing cancer-related side effects. Acupuncture is included in several ASCO integrative oncology guidelines, including for pain management 1,2 , anxiety and depression 2,3 , stress 2 , chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 2 , fatigue 2,4 , hot flashes 2 , and quality of life. 2 Most acupuncture research focuses on 6-8 week interventions, with less known regarding short-duration, single-session, interventions. This study explores the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of a single acupuncture treatment administered concurrently with infusion therapy. Methods: We conducted a quality assessment/quality improvement (QA/QI) study of acupuncture for adults receiving infusion therapy at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center from October 1 – December 31, 2024. Patients received a single 20-minute acupuncture session during infusion therapy to address current symptoms and/or improve quality of life. Questionnaires were completed pre/post treatment to assess satisfaction (acceptability), familiarity and prior use of acupuncture, and current symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Survey (ESAS)). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographics and QA/QI outcomes. T-tests of mean differences were used to calculate p-values for the pre/post symptom change. Results: A total of 93 acupuncture treatments were administered. Most patients were female (61.2%), White (81.3%) with an average age of 59.6 years old (SD 11.6). Common diagnoses included breast cancer (18.7%), lymphoma (17.3%) and multiple myeloma (17.3%). Most patients never received acupuncture before (53%), were only somewhat familiar with acupuncture (31%), and 84% reported being very satisfied with treatment. We found significant (p<0.001) pre/post reductions in anxiety, depression, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, and a significant increase in wellbeing (Table). No significant adverse events were reported. Conclusions: This study supports the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of short duration, single session, acupuncture concurrently with infusion therapy. Symptom change pre/post infusion suite acupuncture. Symptom t df p-value (2-tailed) Mean Difference 95% CI (Lower) 95% CI (Upper) Anxiety 8.53 92 <0.001 1.86 1.43 2.29 Depression 5.67 92 <0.001 1.06 0.69 1.44 Drowsiness 5.86 92 <0.001 1.45 0.96 1.94 Loss of Appetite 6.69 92 <0.001 1.27 0.89 1.65 Nausea 4.02 92 <0.001 0.75 0.38 1.12 Pain 5.32 92 <0.001 1.11 0.69 1.52 Shortness of Breath 5.69 92 <0.001 1.13 0.74 1.52 Tiredness 9.19 92 <0.001 2.02 1.58 2.46 Wellbeing 5.23 92 <0.001 1.28 0.79 1.76 T-tests of mean differences were used to calculate p-values, df = degrees of freedom, CI = confidence interval.