SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026
Comparative effectiveness of traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapies for chemotherapy-related symptoms in cancer patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundChemotherapy-related fatigue, sleep disturbance, and psychological distress significantly impair quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) non-pharmacological therapies are increasingly used as supportive care, yet their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and compare five TCM-based interventions for improving QoL and emotional well-being in chemotherapy patients.
methodsA systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through April 2025. Five TCM-based interventions (acupuncture, auricular therapy, manual acupoint therapy, mind-body exercise therapy, and moxibustion) were evaluated. Primary outcomes included QoL, sleep quality, fatigue, general mood, anxiety, and depression. Effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Treatment ranking was determined using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).
resultsThirty-five RCTs involving 2025 chemotherapy patients were included. Manual acupoint therapy ranked highest for improving QoL (SUCRA 63.4%; SMD vs. control, 2.29; 95% CI, 0.95 to 3.63) and sleep quality (SUCRA 91.9%; SMD vs. auricular therapy, -9.92; 95% CI, -14.83 to -5.01). Mind-body exercise therapy was most effective for enhancing mood (SUCRA 68.0%; SMD vs. control, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.24) and reducing depression (SUCRA 70.8%; SMD vs. control, -0.92; 95% CI, -1.79 to -0.05). Auricular therapy showed the greatest benefit for fatigue (SUCRA 100%; SMD vs. control, -8.13; 95% CI, -10.15 to -6.11) and anxiety (SUCRA 92.9%; SMD vs. control, -1.53; 95% CI, -2.48 to -0.58).
conclusionTCM non-pharmacological therapies demonstrate distinct, symptom-specific efficacy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Manual acupoint therapy is most effective for QoL and sleep, mind-body exercise therapy for mood and depression, and auricular therapy for fatigue and anxiety. These findings support individualized integration of TCM interventions into supportive cancer care.
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