title: Effects of acupuncture and acupressure on cancer-related fatigue: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically examine the evidence for acupuncture and acupressure in the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in adult patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 databases were searched for randomized, controlled trials published in English and Chinese through April 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Given the heterogeneity of data, meta-analysis was not conducted. A six-step thematic analysis method was used to synthesize the results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although results are inconclusive, acupuncture and acupressure tend to be effective in relieving CRF, with the former producing a greater improvement. Future research is recommended to contribute further evidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses should know about the relative effectiveness of acupuncture and acupressure in the management of CRF to educate and support their patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wai-Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Liza Y Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.affiliation: Nethersole School of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Winnie K W
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: So
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Kuen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*
keywords: acupressure; acupuncture; cancer; fatigue; systematic review