Walker, E.M., Rodriguez, A.I., Kohn, B., Ball, R.M., Pegg, J., Pocock, J.R., … Levine, R.A. (2010). Acupuncture versus venlafaxine for the management of vasomotor symptoms in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28, 634–640.

The study compared acupuncture tovenlafaxine for 12 weeks with health measurements for one year.

The enrolled 50 women, with 25 randomized to each arm. 

Inclusion criteria:

• Stage 0–III pre- or postmenopausal patients with breast cancer on hormone therapy with tamoxifen or arimidex
• 14 hot flashes per week
• 18 years of age
• May have been treated locally with surgery or radiation and must have completed chemotherapy
• May be receiving radiation therapy but otherwise must be within five years after treatment
• Must be on a stable dose of hormone therapy for four weeks or more without plans to discontinue therapy for the duration of the study
• Karnofsky performance status
• Life expectancy of at least six months

This was a randomized, controlled trial.

Participants completed:

• Hot Flash Diary (number and severity of hot flashes
• Menopause- Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MenQOL)

By two weeks after treatment, the venlafaxine group experienced significant decreases in hot flashes, and hot flashes in the acupuncture group remained at low levels. The venlafaxine group experienced 18 incidences of adverse effects (e.g., nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety), whereas the acupuncture group experienced no negative adverse effects. Acupuncture had the additional benefit of increased sex drive in some women, and most reported an improvement in their energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being.

Both groups exhibited significant decreases in hot flashes, depressive symptoms, and other QOL symptoms. Acupuncture was as effective as venlafaxine.

The study was limited by its small sample size.