Safety and Effectiveness of an Integrative Treatment of Acupuncture-Based Intervention in Survivors of Breast Cancer With Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome: Protocol for a Single-Center, Single-Arm Exploratory Trial

Kawasaki N, Ishiki H, Matsubara N, Ikegami T, Ishikawa A, Arakawa S, Takahashi A, Uchida T, Nameki Y, Horiguchi Y, Murata T, Takayama S, Suto A, Kihara K, Ariyoshi K, Oyamada S, Kayano A, Matsuoka H, Takagi T, Satomi E · JMIR Research Protocols · 2026 June 11

DOI 10.2196/94381

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of an integrative acupuncture-based intervention for postmastectomy pain syndrome.

Conclusions

This study will explore the potential role of an integrative acupuncture-based intervention in managing postmastectomy pain syndrome and contribute to the evidence base for acupuncture in this condition.

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Insights

Acupuncture-based integrative care is being evaluated as a potential treatment for persistent pain after breast cancer surgery.

This single-centre, prospective study enrolls breast cancer survivors with persistent moderate-to-severe pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder following curative surgery, without recurrent disease or ongoing anticancer treatment. Participants receive acupuncture-based integrative treatment weekly for twelve sessions, followed by a four-week observation period. Pain severity is assessed by comparing average pain ratings at enrolment with ratings after the treatment and observation period. The study is designed to assess whether this treatment approach can safely reduce chronic pain after breast cancer surgery, a condition without an established standard treatment. At the time of reporting, enrolment was underway, so no treatment outcomes were available.