Lee, M.S., Kim, K.H., Shin, B.C., Choi, S.M., & Ernst, E. (2009). Acupuncture for treating hot flushes in men with prostate cancer: A systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 17, 763–770. 

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hot flashes in men with prostate cancer

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Korean Studies Information, DBPIA, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, KoreaMed, Research Information Centre for Health Database, China Academic Journal, Century Journal Project, China Doctor/Master Dissertation Full-Text Database, China Proceedings Conference Full-Text Database, and Cochrane Library 2008, issue 4
 
YEARS INCLUDED: Inception of database through December 2008
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Prospective randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials and uncontrolled observational studies testing the effects of any type of acupuncture on hot flushes in prostate cancer; trials were included if they used acupuncture as either the sole treatment or as an adjunct to other treatments; dissertations and abstracts were included if they contained adequate detail for evaluation. 
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: None stated

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 32 retrieved
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Studies were evaluated using the modified Jadad score, which was calculated by evaluating three criteria. The criteria included (a) a description of the randomization process, (b) blinding, and (c) withdrawals, with the score ranging from 0–5 points.

Sample Characteristics

  • FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 6 
  • TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 132
  • SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 7–60 patients diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer
  • KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Multiple treatments for prostate cancer

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Not specified or not applicable
 
APPLICATIONS: Elder care

Results

Five of the six studies included were uncontrolled observational studies. All six studies showed a reduction in the severity and frequency of hot flashes in men with prostate cancer. Some studies reported no follow-up; one study followed patients for 12 months. Mild adverse effects reported included distress, fatigue, hematoma at the insertion site, and a very short (few seconds) increase of vasomotor symptoms.

Conclusions

The researchers concluded that the evidence from these six studies is not convincing to recommend acupuncture as an effective treatment for hot flashes in men treated for prostate cancer. The researchers recommended more research with larger randomized, controlled trials. Mild adverse effects were noted with acupuncture.

Limitations

  • Limited number of studies included
  • Mostly low quality/high risk of bias studies
  • High heterogeneity
  • Low sample sizes
  • No exclusion criteria stated
  • Five studies were uncontrolled observational studies.  
  • Some studies did not report any follow-up.

Nursing Implications

The six studies did not provide convincing evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for reducing hot flash frequency and severity in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. More large randomized, clinical trials are need to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Such studies should include longer periods of follow-up to determine the long-term effectiveness.

Legacy ID

6362