Explore (NY). 2025 May 23;21(4):103192. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2025.103192. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients frequently experience insomnia, adversely affecting their quality of life. This study aimed to systematically review and analyse the effectiveness and safety of acupressure and acupuncture in improving sleep quality among cancer patients suffering from insomnia, providing evidence for non-pharmacological treatment options.
METHODS: Several digital databases (Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane library, PsycINFO, CINAHL complete, and Google Scholar) were examined for English-language records. Inclusion criteria involved randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of acupressure or acupuncture on cancer patients with insomnia. The Cochrane Collaboration's instrument was employed to evaluate the quality of the encompassed studies. For meta-analysis, a model that accounts for variability among studies was favoured, and statistical analysis was conducted using Stata software version 17.
RESULTS: This review analysed 13 randomized controlled trials involving 806 cancer patients. The analysis indicated that sleep quality didn't differ significantly between treatment and control groups. However, sleep efficacy was significantly higher in the treatment group (SMD [95 % CI] = 0.43 [0.21, 0.65]). Additionally, total sleep time showed a significantly higher extent in the treatment group (SMD [95 % CI] = 0.58 [0.24, 0.92]). No significant differences were found for depression or sleep onset latency between groups, while anxiety levels were lower in the treatment group (SMD [95 % CI] = -0.52 [-0.90, -0.15]).
CONCLUSION: The review suggests that acupressure and acupuncture enhance sleep quality in cancer patients suffering from insomnia, showing notable benefits during follow-up, especially among Asian participants.
PMID:40449465 | DOI:10.1016/j.explore.2025.103192