Feasibility of implementing acupuncture in medically underserved breast cancer survivors (FAB): A protocol
Li H, Schlaeger JM, Patil CL, Danciu O, Chen Z, Lif N, Gao S, Doorenbos AZ · Contemporary Clinical Trials · 2024 January
DOI 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107387
Objective
To investigate the effectiveness of a 5-week acupuncture intervention versus usual care for managing multiple symptoms among medically underserved breast cancer survivors receiving endocrine therapy, and to understand barriers and facilitators to its implementation.
Conclusions
This study will facilitate the widespread implementation, dissemination, and sustained utilization of acupuncture for symptom management among medically underserved breast cancer survivors receiving endocrine therapy.
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Insights
Acupuncture may offer medically underserved breast cancer survivors a single treatment for several persistent therapy-related symptoms while addressing access barriers.
The study uses a randomized controlled design comparing a five-week acupuncture programme with usual care among medically underserved breast cancer survivors receiving hormone-based cancer treatment. Researchers also collect interviews, surveys, and study notes to identify practical barriers and facilitators affecting access to and delivery of acupuncture.
The trial evaluates whether acupuncture can help manage co-occurring symptoms such as joint pain, hot flashes, sleep problems, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Its broader contribution is to identify how acupuncture could be implemented equitably for survivors who have historically had limited access to this supportive treatment.
