A clinical study published in the European Journal of Cancer provides new evidence that acupuncture may help breast cancer patients manage hot flashes, with benefits lasting up to six months after treatment.

Finding Relief From Hot Flashes After Breast Cancer Treatment

For many women, the challenges of breast cancer do not end when surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other cancer treatments are completed. Hormonal therapies and other systemic treatments can cause persistent hot flashes and night sweats, which may interfere with sleep, daily activities, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Hot flashes are among the most common vasomotor symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients, particularly those receiving treatments that affect estrogen levels. Although medications may help some patients, they are not suitable or effective for everyone. Some women prefer non-drug approaches or wish to explore additional ways to manage their symptoms.

Acupuncture may offer another option for women seeking relief from treatment-related hot flashes.

A randomized controlled clinical study published on September 12, 2025, in the European Journal of Cancer (Impact Factor 7.9, as reported in the original publication summary) investigated the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers also examined how acupuncture might influence brain activity associated with these symptoms.

The findings provide clinical and neuroimaging evidence supporting acupuncture as a potential non-pharmacological approach to managing hot flashes in breast cancer patients.

What Did the Researchers Discover?

The study, titled “Acupuncture effect on brain default mode network connectivity in breast cancer patients with hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial,” was conducted by researchers including Wang ZN, Tian GH, Ding JR, and colleagues.

The researchers enrolled three groups:

Breast cancer patients with hot flashes: 24 participants initially enrolled in the acupuncture group.

Breast cancer patients without hot flashes: 35 participants.

Healthy controls: 30 participants.

The two comparison groups underwent baseline assessments, while the acupuncture group received treatment and was followed over time.

1. Acupuncture Reduced Hot Flashes, With Benefits Lasting Four to Six Months

Participants in the acupuncture group received 10 treatment sessions over five weeks, with two sessions per week. Each session involved approximately 30 minutes of needle retention.

Following treatment, patients experienced significant improvement in their hot-flash symptoms. Importantly, the improvement remained evident during follow-up assessments conducted four to six months after the treatment period.

This finding is particularly encouraging for women who experience recurring hot flashes during breast cancer treatment or survivorship. Rather than focusing exclusively on short-term symptom relief, the study suggests that a brief course of acupuncture may be associated with longer-lasting benefits.

Individual responses can vary, and further research is needed to determine which patients are most likely to benefit and how long the effects may persist in different populations.

2. Brain Imaging Revealed a Possible Mechanism of Acupuncture

One of the most interesting aspects of this research was its use of functional MRI to investigate the brain mechanisms potentially involved in acupuncture’s effects.

The researchers examined the brain’s default mode network (DMN), a network of interconnected brain regions involved in internally directed thought and other aspects of brain function.

At baseline, breast cancer patients experiencing hot flashes showed reduced functional connectivity between certain brain regions, particularly the right temporal gyrus and right angular gyrus, compared with the two groups without hot flashes.

After acupuncture treatment, functional connectivity increased in several connections within the default mode network, including:

The connection between the right temporal gyrus and right angular gyrus.

The connection between the right temporal gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex.

These findings suggest that acupuncture may influence brain networks associated with hot-flash symptoms. They provide a potential neurobiological explanation for the observed clinical improvement, although they do not establish that these brain changes directly cause symptom relief.

3. Changes in Brain Connectivity Were Associated With Clinical Improvement

The researchers also found that, among patients who responded to acupuncture, greater increases in functional connectivity between the right temporal gyrus and angular gyrus were associated with greater reductions in hot-flash symptoms.

This relationship also appeared relevant to symptom improvement at the four-to-six-month follow-up.

The findings raise the possibility that changes in brain connectivity could eventually help researchers better understand or predict responses to acupuncture. However, this remains an area for further investigation rather than an established clinical test.

4. What About Sleep and Overall Quality of Life?

The study evaluated sleep quality and breast cancer-related quality of life in addition to hot flashes.

Although these are important concerns for breast cancer patients, the researchers did not find statistically significant improvements in overall sleep quality or quality of life in this trial.

This distinction matters. Acupuncture may help with a specific symptom without necessarily improving every aspect of a patient’s health. Women seeking treatment for insomnia, anxiety, pain, or other concerns should discuss those symptoms individually with their healthcare providers and establish realistic treatment goals.

The study reported an overall favorable safety profile for acupuncture. As with any treatment, appropriate patient assessment, sterile single-use needles, and care from a qualified practitioner are essential.

How Acupuncture May Help Breast Cancer Patients

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, treatment is individualized according to the patient’s symptoms, overall condition, and pattern of imbalance. Hot flashes, sweating, sleep disturbance, and emotional changes may be considered together when developing an acupuncture treatment plan.

The study used a semi-standardized acupuncture approach. Core points included:

Taixi (KI3): A point traditionally used in treatments addressing patterns associated with kidney function in Chinese medicine.

Sanyinjiao (SP6): Commonly used in treatments involving gynecological symptoms and other patterns of imbalance.

Guanyuan (CV4): Traditionally used to support the body’s foundational functions.

Additional points were selected according to individual symptoms and traditional Chinese medicine patterns.

These points were part of the research protocol; they should not be interpreted as a universally appropriate prescription for every breast cancer patient. In clinical practice, point selection and treatment intensity should be tailored to the individual’s condition, medical history, medications, and treatment-related risks.

From a modern biomedical perspective, the study suggests that acupuncture may be associated with changes in functional brain connectivity that accompany improvements in hot flashes. The precise mechanisms remain under investigation.

Who Might Consider Acupuncture?

Acupuncture may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider for breast cancer patients or survivors experiencing:

Hot flashes and sudden sensations of heat.

Night sweats associated with breast cancer treatment.

Discomfort that interferes with daily activities.

Persistent symptoms for which they would like to explore non-drug supportive care.

Patients taking tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, or other cancer-related medications should continue following their oncology team’s recommendations. Acupuncture should be considered a complementary approach, not a replacement for prescribed medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other indicated cancer treatment.

Before treatment, patients should inform their acupuncturist about their cancer diagnosis, current medications, recent surgery, radiation treatment, blood counts if relevant, and any history of lymphedema or other complications. Special precautions may be necessary for patients with low platelet counts, an increased risk of infection or bleeding, or compromised skin integrity.

Treatment should be coordinated with the patient’s oncology team when appropriate.

A Personalized Approach at TCM FIT

At TCM FIT, we recognize that every breast cancer patient’s experience is different. Some women are most troubled by hot flashes and night sweats, while others are also dealing with discomfort, fatigue, emotional stress, or difficulties maintaining their usual routines.

Our approach to acupuncture emphasizes individualized assessment, careful attention to each patient’s medical history, and treatment goals that reflect the patient’s needs and overall care plan.

For women experiencing breast cancer treatment-related hot flashes, acupuncture may be an option to discuss as part of a broader supportive-care strategy. We can review your symptoms, explain what acupuncture involves, discuss relevant precautions, and help you determine whether treatment may be appropriate for you.

You do not have to navigate treatment-related symptoms without support.

If you are experiencing hot flashes during or after breast cancer treatment, contact TCM FIT to learn more about acupuncture and whether it may fit into your supportive-care plan.

The Bottom Line

This clinical study provides encouraging evidence that acupuncture can reduce hot flashes in breast cancer patients, with symptom improvement observed four to six months after a five-week treatment course. Brain imaging findings also suggest that changes in functional connectivity may be associated with the clinical response.

Although additional research is needed, these results strengthen the scientific basis for considering acupuncture as a complementary, non-drug option for managing breast cancer-related hot flashes.

Acupuncture does not treat or cure breast cancer. Its potential role is to help patients manage selected symptoms and support their comfort during and after cancer treatment.

Reference

Wang ZN, Tian GH, Ding JR, Lin Y, Zhang LN, Li X, et al. Acupuncture effect on brain default mode network connectivity in breast cancer patients with hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Cancer. 2025;229:115785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115785

Learn more about acupuncture at TCM FIT: Website: www.tcmfit.com Email: info@tcmfit.com

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your oncology team.