Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that moxibustion improves CRF. We conducted a sys...

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Main Authors: Hye-Ri Bae KMD, MS, Eun-Ji Kim KMD, MS, Yo-Chan Ahn PhD, Jung-Hyo Cho KMD, PhD, Chang-Gue Son KMD, PhD, Nam-Hun Lee KMD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-02-01
Series:Integrative Cancer Therapies
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354241233226
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author Hye-Ri Bae KMD, MS
Eun-Ji Kim KMD, MS
Yo-Chan Ahn PhD
Jung-Hyo Cho KMD, PhD
Chang-Gue Son KMD, PhD
Nam-Hun Lee KMD, PhD
author_facet Hye-Ri Bae KMD, MS
Eun-Ji Kim KMD, MS
Yo-Chan Ahn PhD
Jung-Hyo Cho KMD, PhD
Chang-Gue Son KMD, PhD
Nam-Hun Lee KMD, PhD
author_sort Hye-Ri Bae KMD, MS
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that moxibustion improves CRF. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the differences in fatigue scale scores, quality of life, and clinical efficacy in patients with breast cancer who developed CRF and did versus did not receive moxibustion. Methods: RCTs were searched in 7 databases using a standardized search method from database inception to March 2023, and RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Results: Among 1337 initially identified RCTs, 10 RCTs involving 744 participants were selected for this study. The meta-analysis involved assessment of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale scores, Cancer Fatigue Scale scores, Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, Athens Insomnia Scale scores, clinical efficacy, and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores. Compared with the control, moxibustion was associated with significantly better Piper Fatigue Scale scores ( P  < 0.0001), quality of life [Karnofsky Performance Scale scores ( P  < 0.0001)], clinical efficacy ( P  = 0.0007), and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores ( P  = 0.02). Conclusions: Moxibustion improves CRF in patients with breast cancer. The efficacy of moxibustion should be further examined by high-quality studies in various countries with patients subdivided by their breast cancer treatment status. Registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42023451292
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spelling doaj.art-28cf0fcaf4ac497e9a1a6c71c7385cd22024-02-20T09:03:22ZengSAGE PublishingIntegrative Cancer Therapies1552-695X2024-02-012310.1177/15347354241233226Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisHye-Ri Bae KMD, MS0Eun-Ji Kim KMD, MS1Yo-Chan Ahn PhD2Jung-Hyo Cho KMD, PhD3Chang-Gue Son KMD, PhD4Nam-Hun Lee KMD, PhD5East-West Cancer Center, Cheonan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaEast-West Cancer Center, Cheonan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Health Service Management, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaEast-West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaEast-West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaEast-West Cancer Center, Cheonan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University, Cheonan, Republic of KoreaIntroduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that moxibustion improves CRF. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the differences in fatigue scale scores, quality of life, and clinical efficacy in patients with breast cancer who developed CRF and did versus did not receive moxibustion. Methods: RCTs were searched in 7 databases using a standardized search method from database inception to March 2023, and RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Results: Among 1337 initially identified RCTs, 10 RCTs involving 744 participants were selected for this study. The meta-analysis involved assessment of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale scores, Cancer Fatigue Scale scores, Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, Athens Insomnia Scale scores, clinical efficacy, and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores. Compared with the control, moxibustion was associated with significantly better Piper Fatigue Scale scores ( P  < 0.0001), quality of life [Karnofsky Performance Scale scores ( P  < 0.0001)], clinical efficacy ( P  = 0.0007), and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores ( P  = 0.02). Conclusions: Moxibustion improves CRF in patients with breast cancer. The efficacy of moxibustion should be further examined by high-quality studies in various countries with patients subdivided by their breast cancer treatment status. Registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42023451292https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354241233226
spellingShingle Hye-Ri Bae KMD, MS
Eun-Ji Kim KMD, MS
Yo-Chan Ahn PhD
Jung-Hyo Cho KMD, PhD
Chang-Gue Son KMD, PhD
Nam-Hun Lee KMD, PhD
Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Integrative Cancer Therapies
title Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short Efficacy of Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort efficacy of moxibustion for cancer related fatigue in patients with breast cancer a systematic review and meta analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354241233226
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