The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature (18 études, 1 048 patients), cette méta-analyse évalue l'efficacité de l'acupuncture pour soulager une neuropathie périphérique induite par la chimiothérapie chez les patients atteints d'un cancer
Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect in cancer patients, often emerging within the first month of chemotherapy. Severe CIPN can disrupt daily life, necessitating chemotherapy adjustments or discontinuation, which may increase cancer mortality. No standardized treatment exists, but acupuncture is widely used in China for CIPN.This study aimed to comprehensively assess the actual efficacy of acupuncture in treating CIPN in cancer patients.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to October 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for CIPN, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2.0) and the modified Jadad scale. A random-effects model was used to analyze the Effect Size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI).Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.
Results: The final analysis incorporated 1,048 patients from 18 studies. The results presented in the forest plot demonstrated that, when compared to the control group, acupuncture exhibited superior efficacy in improving CIPN symptoms (RR = 1.11, 95%CI [1.01,1.21]), alleviating pain (SMD = -0.93, 95%CI [-1.63,-0.22]), enhancing quality of life (QoL) (MD = − 1.14, 95%CI [− 1.97, − 0.31]), and reducing chemotherapy-related neurotoxicity (MD = − 3.34, 95%CI [− 5.24, − 1.44]). Additionally, in alleviating CIPN-related pain, simple acupuncture demonstrates superior efficacy compared to electroacupuncture.
Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates that acupuncture offers more substantial benefits to CIPN patients compared to usual care, medication, vitamin, and sham acupuncture. This research serves as a valuable reference for cancer patients, physicians, nurses, and other professional medical practitioners.
Journal of Cancer Survivorship , résumé, 2025