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Comparing the effects of different non-pharmacological traditional Chinese medicine therapies on cancer survivors: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

Complementary therapies in medicine
June 1, 2025
Shaowang Zhang et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of various non-pharmacological Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies (Taichi, Qigong, acupuncture, acupressure, TCM emotional therapy, and mixed therapies) for pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life in cancer survivors.

Results Summary

Acupressure and Taichi/Qigong were most effective for pain relief, while mixed therapies improved sleep quality and Taichi/Qigong enhanced quality of life. No therapy significantly improved fatigue, and acupuncture/TCM emotional therapy had no notable effect on sleep or quality of life.

Population

Cancer survivors (6,473 patients across 71 RCTs).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
acupressure
decrease
pain control
cancer patients
SMD=-1.1 [-1.55, -0.66]
best efficacy was observed for
#1
Taichi/Qigong
decrease
pain control
cancer patients
SMD=-1.08[-1.64, -0.53]
best efficacy was observed for
#2
TCM emotional therapy
decrease
pain control
cancer patients
SMD=-0.93 [-1.42, -0.44]
followed by
#3
acupuncture
decrease
pain control
cancer patients
SMD=-0.54 [-0.93, -0.15]
showing comparatively lower efficacy
#4
None of the interventions
no change
fatigue
cancer survivors
-
demonstrated superior efficacy
#5
Mixed therapies
increase
sleep quality
cancer survivors
SMD=-1.36[-2.56, -0.28]
demonstrated the greatest effect in improving
#6
Taichi/Qigong
increase
quality of life
cancer survivors
SMD=1.87 [0.96, 2.83]
demonstrated certain advantages in improving
#7
acupuncture
no change
sleep quality
cancer survivors
-
had no significant effect on
#8
acupuncture
no change
overall quality of life
cancer survivors
-
had no significant effect on
#9
TCM emotional therapy
no change
sleep quality
cancer survivors
-
had no significant effect on
#10
TCM emotional therapy
no change
overall quality of life
cancer survivors
-
had no significant effect on
#11
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have demonstrated the positive impact of non-pharmacological Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies on pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life in cancer survivors. However, no research has compared the effectiveness of these therapies. This study aims to compare various interventions and identify the most effective non-pharmacological TCM therapies to provide evidence-based recommendations for cancer survivors. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. RCTs investigating the effects of Taichi, Qigong, acupuncture, acupressure, TCM emotional therapy, and mixed therapies as interventions for cancer survivors were screened was conducted. Data from the creation of the database to February 2025 were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated the study quality. A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis was conducted to carry out a random effects model. RESULTS: Seventy-one RCTs involving 6473 patients were included in the analysis. Network meta-analysis showed significance for all five intervention therapies in pain control in cancer patients. The best efficacy was observed for acupressure (SMD=-1.1 [-1.55, -0.66]) and Taichi/Qigong (SMD=-1.08[-1.64, -0.53]), followed by TCM emotional therapy (SMD=-0.93 [-1.42, -0.44]) and acupuncture (SMD=-0.54 [-0.93, -0.15]), with the latter showing comparatively lower efficacy. None of the interventions demonstrated superior efficacy in improving fatigue compared to the control group. Mixed therapies (SMD=-1.36[-2.56, -0.28]) demonstrated the greatest effect in improving sleep quality. Taichi/Qigong (SMD=1.87 [0.96, 2.83]) demonstrated certain advantages in improving quality of life. However, acupuncture and TCM emotional therapy had no significant effect on sleep quality or overall quality of life. CONCLUSION: The evidence from this study suggests that acupressure and Taichi/Qigong are recommended as the most effective therapies for pain relief and quality of life improvement, respectively. The efficacy of these therapies for fatigue remains inconclusive. However, due to the limited number of included studies and the high risk of bias, these results should be interpreted with caution. Future studies should include more rigorously designed high-quality randomized controlled trials to confirm their long-term efficacy and safety. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024601976.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansBayes TheoremMedicine, Chinese TraditionalCancer SurvivorsNetwork Meta-Analysis as TopicQuality of LifeNeoplasmsQigongFatigueAcupuncture TherapyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicAcupressure
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.67
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