Acupuncture vs Venlafaxine for Hormone-Therapy−Induced Hot Flashes

[Hopeful]

As Reported by HealthDay News. 2009 Dec 30

A small study conducted at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit has found that acupuncture can relieve hot flashes and improve sex drive in women undergoing hormone therapy for breast cancer. This is the first randomized, controlled study to compare acupuncture against standard medication—in this case, venlafaxine—for the relief of vasomotor symptoms in patients with breast cancer. (Other such studies have compared acupuncture against sham-acupuncture.) The 50 women in the study were treated for 12 weeks. Acupuncture was administered twice per week for 4 weeks, then once per week. Venlafaxine was taken daily. The patients were followed for 1 year.

The initial results showed that patients in both arms achieved an approximately 50% reduction in hot flashes and depression and reported an improvement in their quality of life. However, the benefits from acupuncture were more durable. Among the women taking venlafaxine, hot flashes returned after 2 weeks, but the acupuncture-treated women continued to have fewer problems with hot flashes. About 25% of the women in the acupuncture group also reported renewed interest in sex, more energy, and clearer thinking.

The results are intriguing, since the use of acupuncture would obviate the risk of medication-related adverse effects. Venlafaxine can cause dry mouth, lack of appetite, nausea, and constipation. Studies investigating the treatment of vasomotor symptoms are known to involve a large placebo effect, however, so further evaluation of the role of acupuncture is needed, particularly in a larger trial. One potential problem with acupuncture is that not all insurance policies may cover its use.

The research results were published in the December 28 online issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Hopeful