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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-07-2017 | Review Article

Effects of non-pharmacological supportive care for hot flushes in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

Authors: Wei-Wei Tao, Xiao-Mei Tao, Chun-Li Song

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 7/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of non-pharmacological therapies for hot flushes (HFs) in women with breast cancer (BC).

Methods

Nine databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wan Fang Database) were searched from their inceptions to October 2016. We also hand-searched reference lists of reviews and included articles, reviewed conference proceedings, and contacted experts. Finally, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were aggregated to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for HFs in women with BC.

Results

Sixteen trials were included in the meta-analysis. Significant combined effects of non-pharmacological therapies were observed in reducing frequency and severity of HFs after treatment (d = −0.57, P < 0.001). These effects were sustained, albeit reduced in part, during follow-up (d = −0.36, P < 0.001), with the exception of frequency (P = 0.41). Meta-analysis according to therapy types showed that for hypnosis, HFs scores instead of scores of HFs-related daily interference scale (HFRDIS) were significantly lowered at the post-treatment time point (d = −13.19, P < 0.001); for acupuncture, a small but significant effect on HFRDIS was found at the post-treatment time point (d = −3.34, P < 0.001). The effect was sustained during follow-up; however, no effect was evident for HFs frequency; for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), at the post-treatment time point, but not during follow-up, a small but significant effect was documented for HFs score (d = −0.88, P < 0.01). No serious adverse effect was reported in the included studies.

Conclusions

Various types of non-pharmacological therapies were associated with significant effects on HFs in women with BC.

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Title: Effects of non-pharmacological supportive care for hot flushes in breast cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wei-Wei Tao
Xiao-Mei Tao
Chun-Li Song
Publication date: 01-07-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 7/2017
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3691-y

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