Randomized controlled trial of infrared laser moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors

A randomized controlled trial at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine evaluated infrared laser moxibustion (ILM) for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer survivors with CRF. Patients were randomized to ILM, sham ILM (SILM; no laser emission when the moxibustion instrument was turned on) or waistlist control (WLC). ILM and SILM were given for 6 weeks. Primary end point was change in Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) from baseline to week 6. Patients were followed for 18 weeks. Compared with WLC, ILM reduced the average BFI score at week 6 (p=0.007) and week 18 (p=0.002). Compared with SILM, ILM resulted in non-significant reduction in BFI score at week 6 (p=0.206) but significant reduction at week 18 (p=0.014). No serious adverse events were observed. The authors conclude that ILM was safe and significantly reduced CRF compared with WLC, while its efficacy against SILM needs to be validated in future adequately powered trials.