Ashamalla, H., Jiang, M. L., Guirguis, A., Peluso, F., & Ashamalla, M. (2011). Acupuncture for the alleviation of hot flashes in men treated with androgen ablation therapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 79(5), 1358-1363.

To study the effect of acupuncture on hot flashes in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation

Men with hot flashes occurring at least 3 or more times per day for at least three days before enrollment were enrolled. They completed hot flash diaries with resulting hot flash scores at baseline, daily for at least 6 weeks, and then monthly for 8 months (targeted time was 36 months). Acupuncture was administered by same acupuncturist twice a week for 4 weeks to the same 10 points with electro stimulation applied to 8 of the 10 points per protocol.

• N = 14  
• AGE:  mean 68 years
• MALES (%)  100%     FEMALES (%)  0
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:   Locally advanced prostate cancer
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS:   Advanced local disease managed with androgen deprivation therapy

The study enrolled men with locally advanced prostate cancer, who had been treated with androgen deprivation therapy as an adjuvant to radiation therapy, radical prostatectomty, or brachytherapy. All men must have had hot flashes occurring at least 3 or more times per day for at least three days before enrollment. Patients could not be receiving medications for hot flashes nor have a history of acupuncture treatment.

• SITE: Single site   
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient setting   
• LOCATION: United States

PHASE OF CARE: Active Treatment

APPLICATIONS: Late effects & survivorship; Elderly care

Prospective single arm trial

• Hot Flash Diaries    
• Hot Flash Score - calculated as frequency x severity.

Mean initial Hot Flash Score (HFS) was 28.3, which decreased to 10.3 (p= 0.0001) at 2 weeks post-treatment, 7.5 (p = 0.0001) at 6 weeks post-treatment, and 7.0 (p= 0.0001) at 8 months post-treatment. Clinical improvement for each patient was defined as the percent decrease in the mean HFS at each time point. The mean improvement at weeks 2 and 6 was 68.4% and 89.2%.

In this limited sample size, acupuncture appeared to reduce hot flash symptoms experienced by men treated with androgen deprivation for their locally advanced prostate cancer.

• Small sample <30
• The study clearly defined the participant group; however it failed to define further the acupuncture points used within the study. It also did not define which of the 8 out of  10 points had electro stimulation applied in order to determine if these were exact points used in each participant.  
   

Further research is needed in larger sample sizes to determine effectiveness, and  the reproducibility of the study when using multiple providers. The study explored the long term benefits of using acupuncture and suggested (demonstrated) an 80.3% decrease in HFS at the 8-month follow-up.