Acupuncture reduced incidence of insomnia symptoms in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Menée à partir de données portant sur 1 295 patients atteints d'un cancer du poumon, cette étude de cohorte rétrospective évalue l'intérêt de l'acupuncture pour réduire les symptômes d'insomnie
Purpose: About 30–50% of lung cancer patients suffer from insomnia with limited prevention options. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate whether acupuncture for cancer-related symptoms such as pain could reduce the incidence of insomnia symptoms.
Methods: We included newly diagnosed lung cancer patients without prior insomnia symptoms from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (2012–2021) and followed up until January 31, 2022. Cases were propensity score–matched by sex, age, ECOG PS score, pathological diagnosis, therapy, and comorbidities. The main outcome was the incidence of insomnia symptoms, identified by psychiatric diagnosis or insomnia symptoms in medical records.
Results: Among 1295 lung cancer survivors, 918 patients were matched (459 per group). Over an average follow-up of 218.6 days, insomnia symptoms were observed in 20.9% of the acupuncture group and 42.2% of the non-acupuncture group. Acupuncture was linked to a lower incidence of insomnia symptoms (adjusted HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.23–0.39). Higher frequency and more numerous acupuncture sessions further reduced the risk of insomnia symptoms (adjusted HR 0.15 for frequency of 1 day/session, adjusted HR 0.15 for sessions > 16). The acupuncture group had a significantly lower cumulative incidence of insomnia (log-rank test, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that acupuncture may prevent the incidence of insomnia symptoms in patients with lung cancer. Daily sessions and a cumulative total of 16 or more treatments may enhance the benefit.
Supportive Care in Cancer , article en libre accès, 2026