In a multicenter study with more than 200 participants, results showed that for patients who received a 12-week acupuncture intervention, joint pain was reduced for up to 52 weeks compared with patients who received sham acupuncture or were in a wait-list control group.

These results highlight the durability of an acupuncture intervention, the investigators note.

Hershman added that clinicians should “offer this as an option for patients on AI therapy who complain of significant joint pain and to advocate for payers to cover the costs.”

The findings were published online November 11 in JAMA Network Open.

AIs, which prevent an enzyme in fat tissue (aromatase) from changing other hormones into estrogen, are used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer. About 80% of breast cancers are estrogen-receptor positive.

For more than 50% of patients, arthralgias and stiffness contribute to nonadherence to therapy.

The intervention is appealing to some patients because of the generally limited adverse effects compared with medications, she noted. However, it is not covered by many insurance plans. For Medicare beneficiaries, acupuncture is covered only for low back pain. Hershman said the average price can vary but ranges from $75 to $150 per session.

JAMA Netw Open. Published online November 11, 2022. Full article