title: The effect of acupuncture on post-cancer fatigue and well-being for women recovering from breast cancer: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture in managing fatigue and well-being in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial compared acupuncture was with sham acupuncture and wait list controls was performed in Sydney, Australia. A total of 30 women with fatigue following breast cancer treatment participated in the trial. Women received six sessions of acupuncture over 8 weeks. Outcomes related to an assessment of interest to participate in the trial and identification of appropriate recruitment strategies, appropriateness of eligibility criteria and compliance with treatment attendance. Clinical outcomes assessed fatigue and well-being. In-depth interviews were undertaken with seven women, who described their experience of acupuncture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study demonstrated feasibility with appropriate trial entry criteria, good acceptability and treatment compliance with the study interventions, and with the completion of outcome forms. There was a significant reduction in fatigue for women receiving acupuncture compared with control after 2 weeks mean difference (MD) 5.3, 95% CI 4.5 to 6.2, p=0.05, and a significant improvement in well-being at 6 weeks for acupuncture compared with the sham and wait list control, MD 2.7, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.2, p=0.006. Women described their experience of acupuncture positively, and interview data may also offer explanations for the improved outcomes of well-being, with women reporting an improvement in sleep, mood and relaxation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by people recovering from treatment, and an appropriately powered trial to evaluate the effect of acupuncture is needed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12610000720011.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, New South Wales 2751, Australia. caroline.smith@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carmady
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perz
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ussher
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012063:Relaxation; D012890:Sleep; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology