Randomized clinical trial of acupuncture versus massage for cancer pain in advanced cancer patients
Dr. Andrew Epstein
Pain is challenging for patients with advanced cancer. Recent guidelines recommend acupuncture and massage for cancer pain. The IMPACT randomized clinical trial investigated the comparative effectiveness of acupuncture and massage for musculoskeletal pain among patients with advanced cancer. Both acupuncture and massage were associated with long-term pain reduction. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the treatments. The authors conclude that both acupuncture and massage may offer pain relief as integrative modalities in patients with advanced cancer (visual abstract).
