The rise of acupuncture trials in the field of oncology is attributed to the 1997 NIH consensus conference and increased federal funding for research since 1999. In a 2008 systematic review, advancements in acupuncture clinical research suggested that acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy used to manage cancer and treatment related symptoms. Research suggests that acupuncture offers clinical benefits for:
nausea and vomiting
post-operative pain
cancer related pain
chemotherapy-induced leukopenia
post-chemotherapy fatigue
xerostomia
insomnia
depression and anxiety
hot flashes
neuropathy
quality of life
References:
Lu, W., Dean-Clower, E., Doherty-Gilman, A., & Rosenthal, D. S. (2008). The value of acupuncture in cancer care. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America, 22(4), 631–viii. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hoc.2008.04.005