Acupuncture in the treatment of menopause-related symptoms in women taking tamoxifen.
Fifteen patients were enrolled in a pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in tamoxifen-treated patients. Patients were evaluated before treatment and after one, three and six months with the Greene Menopause Index and were treated according to the traditional Chinese medicine. Anxiety, depression, somatic and vasomotor symptoms were improved by the treatment; libido was not modified. Acupuncture seems to be safe and effective for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with previous breast cancer taking tamoxifen. Confirmatory studies with a larger number of patients and with a placebo-treated group are warranted.
Porzio
Giampiero
G
Medical Oncology Unit, University of L'Aquila, Italy. porzio1@interfree.it
Trapasso
Tiziana
T
Martelli
Silvia
S
Sallusti
Elisa
E
Piccone
Caterina
C
Mattei
Antonella
A
Di Stanislao
Carlo
C
Ficorella
Corrado
C
Marchetti
Paolo
P
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen