The effect of acupuncture on hot flashes and sleep disturbances in women with breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy: a pre-post quasi-interventional study

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although long-term endocrine therapy effectively reduces recurrence risk, it often causes burdensome side effects such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances, negatively affecting treatment adherence and quality of life. Acupuncture, with its safety profile, has gained attention as a complementary approach for managing these symptoms. This study aimed to assess the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes and sleep disturbances in breast cancer survivors treated with endocrine therapy. Methods: A longitudinal pre-post intervention single-center study was conducted. Hot flashes and sleep disturbances were measured using the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks, corresponding to the last acupuncture session. Paired t-tests were used to compare the means of study variables across pre- and post-treatment periods. Results: Significant improvements were observed at 8 weeks compared to baseline, with a mean difference (MD) of 1.25 (p = 0.002) in the HFRDIS total score and 2.96 (p < 0.001) in the PSQI total score. There were also significant improvements in the PSQI components: subjective sleep quality (MD = 0.68, p < 0.001), sleep latency (MD = 1.25, p = 0.002), sleep disturbances (MD = 0.45, p < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction (MD = 0.57, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest that acupuncture is a safe, well-tolerated, and potentially effective treatment for reducing hot flashes and improving sleep quality in breast cancer survivors with menopausal symptoms.