Acupuncture Can Offer Cancer Patients and Survivors Relief from Anxiety and Depression

An ongoing observational study on acupuncture in cancer management has been approved by both the Sunway Medical Research Ethical Board (027/2024/IND/ER) and the Sunway University Research Ethical Board (PGSUREC2024/020). This integrative, collaborative study between Eastern and Western medicine is examining the effects of acupuncture on pain, anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life in cancer patients and survivors.

WORDS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR LIM REN JYE

FEATURED EXPERT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR LIM REN JYE Medical Director and Integrative Medicine Consultant Sunway TCM Centre

CANCER PATIENTS EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Cancer, both during treatment and in the survivorship phase, brings significant mental health challenges.

Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychological issues faced by cancer patients.

Anxiety in Cancer Patients

• The fear of death, pain, side effects from treatment, and the uncertainty of the disease’s progression can lead to heightened anxiety.
• For some, this anxiety is compounded by the financial and social stress that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis.

Depression in Cancer Patients

• Cancer patients are often at risk of developing clinical depression, driven by feelings of helplessness, isolation, and the overwhelming nature of cancer treatment.
• Those who undergo surgeries or significant physical changes due to treatment may also experience body image issues, which contribute to depression.

The impact of cancer on both physical and emotional health is profound and requires attention.

MENTAL CHALLENGES ARE PRESENT EVEN DURING CANCER SURVIVORSHIP

The emotional impact of surviving cancer is complex.

Cancer survivors face an ongoing psychological challenge even after successful treatment.

Fear of Recurrence

• Even once the cancer is in remission, many survivors live with the constant fear of the disease returning.
• This ongoing anxiety can interfere with their ability to fully move on and enjoy life after treatment.

Survivorship Fatigue

• The mental and physical exhaustion experienced by many survivors can lead to depression.
• This fatigue often persists for months or even years after treatment ends.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-Like Symptoms

• For some survivors, the cancer journey becomes a traumatic experience.
• The psychological aftermath can lead to PTSD-like symptoms, including anxiety, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

CAN ACUPUNCTURE BE A SOLUTION TO ADDRESS THESE MENTAL CHALLENGES?

Acupuncture is increasingly recognized as a holistic, complementary therapy that can play an integral role in addressing the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer patients and survivors.

Through its physical effects and ability to restore balance in the body, acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and improve emotional well-being.

Promotes Relaxation through the Nervous System

• One of acupuncture’s strongest benefits is its ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the ‘rest and digest’ system).
• This system helps the body to relax and de-stress, effectively reducing tension and anxiety as well as improving overall emotional stability.

Improves Sleep Quality

• Sleep deprivation is hence commonly linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Acupuncture has been shown to help improve sleep quality by regulating the body’s circadian rhythm, which is critical for managing stress and stabilizing mood.

Restores Neurotransmitter Balance

• Acupuncture has been shown to help balance important neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation, such as serotonin and dopamine.
• These “feel-good” chemicals help counteract the feelings of sadness and anxiety.

Lowers Stress Hormones

• The stress response is mediated by the hormone cortisol. When cortisol levels remain elevated for long periods, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression.
• Acupuncture can help to lower cortisol levels, which in turn reduces feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional relaxation.

Stimulates Endorphin Release

• Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters.
• These endorphins promote a sense of calm and general well-being.

SCIENTIC EVIDENCE OF THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE

There is a growing body of research that supports acupuncture’s role in alleviating anxiety and depression in cancer patients.

Notable ones include:

• A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Patients who received acupuncture reported improved mood, lower stress levels, and better overall emotional health.
• Research in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that acupuncture effectively reduced anxiety in cancer patients. Patients who received regular acupuncture treatments during chemotherapy experienced a marked improvement in their emotional well-being, as well as a reduction in chemotherapy-induced nausea.
• A review in the International Journal of Cancer showed that acupuncture helps cancer survivors manage psychological distress, particularly in the long-term post-treatment phase. Survivors who received acupuncture reported enhanced emotional stability, reduced fear of recurrence, and better coping abilities.

A LOCAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE

To further understand and validate the benefits of acupuncture in this context, an ongoing observational study at Sunway TCM Centre has been approved by the Sunway Medical Research Ethical Board and Sunway University Research Ethical Board.

• This study is examining the effects of acupuncture on pain, anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life in both cancer patients and survivors.
• As the study progresses, the findings will contribute to a stronger evidence base for acupuncture as an essential part of comprehensive cancer care.

By continuing to explore and document the effectiveness of acupuncture, it is hoped that this research will help establish acupuncture as a mainstream supportive therapy in cancer management.

CONCLUSION

• Acupuncture offers a safe, effective, and holistic approach to treating anxiety and depression in both cancer patients and survivors.
• By balancing neurotransmitters, lowering cortisol levels, stimulating endorphin production, and improving sleep quality, acupuncture helps to stabilize mood and reduce emotional distress.
• The integration of acupuncture into the treatment regimen offers cancer patients and survivors an effective means of managing emotional challenges alongside conventional cancer treatments.

References:

1. Mao, J. J., Farrar, J. T., Bruner, D., Zee, J., Bowman, M., Seluzicki, C., DeMichele, A., & Xie, S. X. (2014). Electroacupuncture for fatigue, sleep, and psychological distress in breast cancer patients with aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia: a randomized trial. Cancer, 120(23), 3744–3751. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.28917
2. Beikmoradi, A., Najafi, F., Roshanaei, G., Pour Esmaeil, Z., Khatibian, M., & Ahmadi, A. (2015). Acupressure and anxiety in cancer patients. Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 17(3), e25919. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.25919
3. Wang, F., Zhao, J., Li, Y., Yang, X., Wu, D., Yang, B., Zhang, C., He, Z., Du, L., Zhu, X., Ming, D., Liu, Y., & Tang, D. (2022). Acupuncture and acupressure with improved cancer-related depression of retrospective studies. Frontiers in oncology, 12, 1036634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.1036634