Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

IF 7.2 1区医学 Q1 ONCOLOGY

JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute Pub Date : 2026-04-02 DOI:10.1093/jnci/djag096

Ding Quan Ng, Matthew Heshmatipour, Julia Trudeau, Apeksha Sridhar, Brock Pluimer, Olivia G G Drayson, Sayeh M Lavasani, Ritesh Parajuli, Sanghoon Lee, Anshu Agrawal, Munjal M Acharya, Charles L Limoli, Richard E Harris, Lifang Xie, Shaista Malik, Alexandre Chan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded pilot trial to compare the impact of two electroacupuncture (EA) regimens on co-occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms among breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods: BCS who self-reported cognitive impairment, fatigue, insomnia, or psychological distress were randomized (1:1) to receive ten weekly EA to target either neuropsychiatric-specific (nEA) or non-neuropsychiatric-specific (sEA) acupoints. Primary endpoints were the within-group pre-post effect sizes (Glass's Δ) in symptom severities, adjusted for multiple comparisons (p-adjusted). Outcomes were assessed using neurocognitive tests (CANTAB®), PROs (FACT-Cog, MFSI-SF, EORTC QLQ-C30), plasma biomarkers, and neuroimaging. Responders were defined by reliable change index (for objective cognition) or MCID (for PROs).

Results: Thirty-five were recruited, with 30 (86%) completing all sessions. The mean (±SD) age was 58.2 (±12.2) years, and 86% reported co-occurring symptoms. Following treatment, the nEA group demonstrated significant improvements in attention (T3: Δ = 0.562, T4: Δ = 0.708, both p-adjusted < 0.05) and distress (T3: Δ = 0.764, T4: Δ = 0.711, both p-adjusted < 0.05). More responders were observed after nEA treatment for objective cognition (42.9% vs 12.5%) and distress (50% vs 37.5%). nEA-treated participants showed increased gray matter volume compared to sEA (p = 0.033), which positively correlated with better attention function (r = 0.69, p = 0.020). nEA-related improvements in memory and response speed were associated with reduced connectivity in the Default Mode Network (DMN-SFG, r=-0.93, p < 0.01) and increased connectivity in the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN-SMG, r = 0.86, p < 0.001), respectively. All adverse events were grade 2 or lower.

Conclusions: EA targeting neuropsychiatric-specific acupoints suggests improvements in cognition and distress symptoms in BCS, warranting validation in larger, multicenter trials.

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05283577.

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电针改善乳腺癌幸存者的认知功能和神经精神症状：一项随机对照试验

背景：我们进行了一项随机双盲先导试验，比较两种电针（EA）治疗方案对乳腺癌幸存者（BCS）并发神经精神症状的影响。方法：自我报告认知障碍、疲劳、失眠或心理困扰的BCS随机（1:1）接受10周EA治疗，针对神经精神特异性（nEA）或非神经精神特异性（sEA）穴位。主要终点是症状严重程度的组内前后效应大小（Glass's Δ），经多次比较调整（p校正）。通过神经认知测试（CANTAB®）、pro （FACT-Cog、MFSI-SF、EORTC QLQ-C30）、血浆生物标志物和神经影像学评估结果。应答者以可靠变化指数（客观认知）或MCID（正面认知）来定义。结果：招募了35人，其中30人（86%）完成了所有的疗程。平均（±SD）年龄为58.2（±12.2）岁，86%报告合并症状。治疗后，nEA组在注意力方面表现出显著改善（T3： Δ = 0.562, T4： Δ = 0.708，均经p校正）。结论：针对神经精神病特异性穴位的EA可改善BCS患者的认知和痛苦症状，值得在更大规模的多中心试验中验证。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute 医学-肿瘤学

CiteScore

17.00

自引率

2.90%

发文量

203

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is a reputable publication that undergoes a peer-review process. It is available in both print (ISSN: 0027-8874) and online (ISSN: 1460-2105) formats, with 12 issues released annually. The journal's primary aim is to disseminate innovative and important discoveries in the field of cancer research, with specific emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, behavioral, and health outcomes studies. Authors are encouraged to submit reviews, minireviews, and commentaries. The journal ensures that submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous and expedited review to publish scientifically and medically significant findings in a timely manner.