Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42601524›Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

Factors influencing acupuncture regimen completion by breast cancer patients: real-world data from an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Maria Grosso Zelaya, Moshelle Borjigin, Reza Lahiji, Gloria Fung, Anna Bausum, Margarite Melikian, Almira Catic, Susan Mumford, Hanna Slomik, Jocelyn Nguyen and 5 more

Abstract read
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Article 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. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Time toxicity among patients with cancer: a scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Maria Grosso ZelayaIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Moshelle BorjiginIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Reza LahijiDepartment of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Building B, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Gloria FungDepartment of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Building B, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Anna BausumIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Margarite MelikianIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Almira CaticIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Susan MumfordDepartment of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Building B, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Hanna SlomikIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Jocelyn NguyenIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Dattatraya PatilDepartment of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Building B, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Ryan SukNell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Demetria Smith-GrazianiDepartment of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Kevin KalinskyDepartment of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Viraj A MasterIntegrative Oncology and Survivorship, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. vmaster@emory.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcupuncture is a complementary medicine therapy increasingly used to manage cancer-related symptoms. Despite its demonstrated efficacy, adherence rates among patients with breast cancer remain suboptimal. This study aimed to identify factors associated with non-completion of acupuncture regimens within a single institutional integrative oncology program to identify modifiable barriers to service utilization.

methodsPatients with breast cancer who began acupuncture treatment at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center between May 2022 and March 2025 were retrospectively included in this study. Regimen completion was defined as attending a minimum of eight sessions. Demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes (PROMIS-29) were analyzed. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of regimen completion.

resultsOf 563 patients, 268 (47.6%) completed the recommended acupuncture regimen. In multivariable analysis, non-White race (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45-0.92, p = 0.016), advanced cancer stage (defined as stages 3-4; OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.82, p = 0.003), smoking history (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41-0.95, p = 0.029), and moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-1.00, p = 0.048) were independently associated with lower odds of regimen completion.

conclusionRacial disparities, clinical stage, baseline anxiety, and smoking history were significantly associated with lowered acupuncture adherence in patients with breast cancer. Tailored interventions including early identification of at-risk patients and integrated mental health support may be evaluated to improve adherence to integrative therapies.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyBreast NeoplasmsPatient ComplianceAdultAgedCancer Care FacilitiesFemaleHumansLogistic ModelsMiddle AgedNational Cancer Institute (U.S.)Patient Reported Outcome MeasuresRetrospective StudiesUnited StatesAcupunctureBreast cancerDisparitiesIntegrative oncologyPROMIS-29

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.