Vickers, A.J., Feinstein, M.B., Deng, G.E., & Cassileth, B.R. (2005). Acupuncture for dyspnea in advanced cancer: A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial [ISRCTN89462491]. BMC Palliative Care, 4, 5.

Treatment consisted of two phases: acupuncture and acupressure. Patients were randomized to receive a single session of true or placebo acupuncture. Semi-permanent acupuncture studs then were inserted, and patients applied pressure to the studs twice a day to provide ongoing stimulation to acupuncture points.

• N = 47 (25 randomized to acupuncture and 22 to placebo)
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with lung or breast cancer presenting with dyspnea 

• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient and outpatient
• LOCATION: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

• Randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial

• Dyspnea was assessed with a 0–10 numerical rating scale immediately before and after acupuncture treatment and daily for a week thereafter.

Dyspnea scores were slightly higher for patients receiving true versus placebo acupuncture immediately after and for the one week daily follow-up, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Acupuncture technique as used in this trial is unlikely to have an effect on dyspnea. 

• Two modifications of the trial existed: the first was to only include patients with non-zero dyspnea scores and the second changed one acupoint on the wrist, which caused pain in several patients. Protocol changes are problematic to the conclusion about the intervention.
• Patients only received one acupuncture treatment as opposed to several, which may be more effective.
• Accrual to the study was slow and limited by refusal by patients who deemed themselves too ill to participate.