Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed acupuncture for cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in adults, including 44 randomized controlled trials with 3,783 participants. Compared with conventional treatment, acupuncture was associated with higher MMSE scores (mean difference 2.34, 95% CI [1.84, 2.85]) and MoCA scores (mean difference 1.48, 95% CI [1.15, 1.82]), and lower postoperative cognitive dysfunction incidence (risk ratio 0.49, 95% CI [0.41, 0.60]). Benefits on cognitive scores were also reported versus sham acupuncture, but evidence certainty was low to very low and findings were heterogeneous.

Key findings

• Versus conventional treatment, MMSE scores were higher with acupuncture (MD = 2.34, 95% CI [1.84, 2.85]).
• Versus conventional treatment, MoCA scores were higher (MD = 1.48, 95% CI: [1.15, 1.82]) and POCD incidence was lower (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: [0.41, 0.60]).
• Compared with sham acupuncture, MMSE improved (MD = 2.48, 95% CI: [1.55, 3.41]); MoCA improvement was imprecise (MD = 1.52, 95% CI: [0.16, 2.88]).
• No significant benefit was found on the EORTC QLQ-C30 cognitive subscale versus sham acupuncture (P = 0.11) or other active therapies (P = 0.15).

Why it matters

Cognitive symptoms can affect quality of life during and after cancer treatment. The pooled findings suggest acupuncture may improve some measures of global cognition and reduce postoperative cognitive dysfunction, while results differ by outcome and comparator. Low-to-very-low certainty, heterogeneity, and incomplete safety reporting mean these estimates should be interpreted cautiously rather than as definitive evidence of benefit.

What to keep in mind

The review reports methodological weaknesses, substantial heterogeneity, imprecision, and low-to-very-low evidence certainty. Safety reporting was often incomplete.