Acupuncture to Reduce Stress in Women with Breast Cancer After Primary Treatment Randomized Wait-list-controlled Study During Survivorship Transition

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying whether weekly acupuncture sessions over eight weeks can help reduce psychological distress in breast cancer patients who have recently finished their main treatments. This trial focuses on women transitioning into survivorship, a vulnerable period marked by increased stress, fear of cancer returning, and feelings of isolation. The study compares acupuncture with standard care, aiming to see if acupuncture lowers stress and improves quality of life and other mental health factors. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either eight weekly acupuncture sessions or standard supportive care, which may include psychosocial support or support groups. Those in the control group will have access to acupuncture after completing the initial assessment period. The acupuncture involves both body and ear treatments delivered once a week during the intervention. During the study, participants will undergo assessments of distress, quality of life, anxiety, depression, resilience, fatigue, cognitive function, therapy adherence, and any adverse events. Distress levels are measured before and after each acupuncture session, with primary outcomes evaluated after the eight-week intervention. The study will monitor these effects to understand the potential benefits and impacts of acupuncture during breast cancer survivorship.

Stress Reduction Through Acupuncture