Multimodal Japanese-style acupuncture and moxibustion for taxane-related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND

Taxane-related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is highly prevalent among breast cancer survivors and significantly impairs quality of life, yet established treatments are lacking. This study investigated the preliminary efficacy and safety of multimodal Japanese-style acupuncture and moxibustion (MJAM)-a program combining filiform needle acupuncture, non-insertive needle (Teishin) therapy, motion-style acupuncture, indirect moxibustion, hot pack application, and self-care instruction-for taxane-related CIPN.

METHODS

In this single-center, single-arm study, we enrolled breast cancer survivors who had completed curative treatment for stage I-III breast cancer at least 3 months previously and who had moderate-to-severe taxane-related CIPN pain (BPI item 5 score of 4 or greater) at the time of enrollment. Participants received 12 weekly sessions of a standardized MJAM program. The primary endpoint was the change in Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) item 5 (average pain) from baseline to week 16.

RESULTS

Between October 2022 and April 2024, 30 women (median age 58.0 years) were enrolled. Median time since chemotherapy completion was 2.47 years. Mean baseline BPI item 5 score was 5.3 (SD 1.7). Twenty-eight participants (93.3%) completed the treatment. Nine participants (30.0%) experienced mild (grade 1) adverse events. BPI item 5 scores significantly decreased over time. Changes from baseline were -0.1 (95%CI, -0.6 to 0.3; p = 0.56) at week 4, -0.7 (95%CI, -1.2 to -0.2; p = 0.008) at week 8, -1.1 (95%CI, -1.7 to -0.6; p = 0.0003) at week 12, and -1.2 (90%CI, -1.7 to -0.8; p < 0.0001) at week 16.

CONCLUSIONS

MJAM was safe, feasible, and associated with a reduction in pain in breast cancer survivors with persistent taxane-related CIPN. A confirmatory randomized clinical trial is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000048478.