A new study finds that targeted electroacupuncture may help breast cancer survivors improve cognitive function and reduce psychological distress.
In a 10-week trial, 35 survivors with symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and “brain fog” received weekly electroacupuncture. One group was treated at neuropsychiatric-specific acupoints, while a control group received treatment at non-specific points. Patients receiving targeted treatment showed a 43% improvement in cognitive function versus 12.5% in the control group. Brain scans revealed increased gray matter volume and better network connectivity, alongside reduced neuroinflammation markers.
The therapy was well-tolerated, offering a non-drug alternative for managing post-treatment cognitive challenges. With millions of breast cancer survivors facing lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms, researchers stress the need for larger trials to confirm these benefits and develop standardized acupuncture protocols for survivorship care.