ArticleMetabolites2024
Using Serum Metabolomic Signatures to Investigate Effects of Acupuncture on Pain-Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance in Breast Cancer Survivors.
Article in Metabolites, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Global research trends of TCM-based nonpharmacologic interventions in breast cancer supportive care: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2025).Frontiers in oncology · 2026Pooled it
- Changes in Glutathione Metabolites and Reactive Oxygen Species from Baseline to Post-Treatment in Breast Cancer Survivors with Psychoneurological Symptoms Receiving Acupuncture.Integrative cancer therapiesTrial
- Dynamic serum metabolomic changes during Chinese herbal hot compress therapy for postpartum uterine involution: pathway analysis and candidate biomarker identification.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND/
objectivesAcupuncture is an efficacious integrative therapy for treating pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance (the psychoneurological symptom cluster) in breast cancer survivors. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear, and related metabolomics studies are limited. This study aimed to examine serum metabolite changes after acupuncture and their relationships to symptom improvement.
methodsForty-two breast cancer survivors experiencing pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance participated in a single-arm acupuncture trial. They received a 10-session acupuncture intervention over 5 weeks. Fasting blood samples and symptom surveys were collected before and after the acupuncture intervention, and untargeted metabolomics profiling was conducted on serum samples. Mixed-effects models adjusting for covariates (age, race, body mass index, and antidepressant use) were applied for analysis.
resultsAfter acupuncture, there was a significant reduction in the psychoneurological symptom cluster (mean reduction = -6.2,
conclusionsAcupuncture demonstrates beneficial effects on the psychoneurological symptom cluster in breast cancer survivors. Dimethyl sulfone may be a promising mediator in the relationship between acupuncture and psychoneurological symptoms, while acylcarnitine metabolism may modulate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.
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Registered trials
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