ACUPUNCTURE TO SUPPORT CANCER PATIENTS

Starting from February 2026

Rome (Italy)

ACUPUNCTURE TO SUPPORT CANCER PATIENTS

A free integrated acupuncture program with clinical and research purposes

 

A concrete form of support during and after cancer treatments, aimed at relieving symptoms and improving well-being and quality of life through a scientific, person-centered approach

 

 GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Dates: starting from February 2026
  • Location: Acupuncture Medical Practice, Piazza Bologna area (Metro Line B) – ROME
  • Duration: 1 treatment cycle of 8 sessions (1 session per week)
  • Language: Italian
  • Target group: patients with an oncological diagnosis (age ≥18 years)
  • Available places: limited, advance booking required
  • Acupuncture physicians responsible for the project: Dr. Valeria Sansone – Dr. Emanuela Serritella

 

ACUPUNCTURE: Why can it help cancer patients?

Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that acupuncture can represent a valuable integrative support in oncology, particularly for symptom management and improvement of quality of life. An overview of systematic reviews on oncology patients shows consistent benefits for pain, fatigue, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, and overall quality of life, despite methodological heterogeneity among studies. Randomized trials and meta-analyses document a reduction in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when acupuncture is used as an adjunct to standard antiemetic therapy, improved control of cancer-related fatigue, and favorable effects on insomnia, hot flashes, and other functional symptoms, particularly in women with breast cancer undergoing hormonal therapy. Some studies also suggest a positive impact on mood, perceived energy, and emotional well-being, often measured using validated anxiety, depression, and quality-of-life scales. From a biological perspective, recent research indicates that acupuncture modulates neuro–immuno–endocrine circuits, with effects on inflammatory cytokines, signaling pathways (e.g., NF-κB, PI3K–Akt), endogenous opioid systems, and natural killer (NK) cell activity. These mechanisms may contribute to immune regulation and reduction of systemic inflammation, always within the framework of complementary—not alternative—therapy alongside conventional oncological treatments. (Essential bibliography available in the dedicated section)

In healthcare settings where acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are integrated into integrative oncology services—such as in many cancer centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia—significant improvements have been observed in symptom management, emotional well-being, sleep quality, and social functioning, along with high patient satisfaction. International SIO–ASCO guidelines and the strategies of the World Health Organization now recognize that regulated, evidence-based integration of these practices alongside conventional cancer therapies can contribute to improved comfort, treatment tolerability, and quality of life.

 

Why BOBIH has chosen to dedicate this project specifically to cancer patients

Despite solid evidence and the widespread international adoption of integrative oncology, our healthcare system still lacks structured pathways that integrate acupuncture into support for oncology patients. This leaves a significant gap, particularly for a vulnerable population often burdened by aggressive treatments and symptoms that strongly affect daily life.

Moreover, many patients do not have access to safe, evidence-based complementary therapies or are unaware that acupuncture may help manage their symptoms. Oncology patients represent a “special” patient population: they experience profound changes in the body, emotional balance, and energy levels, and require comprehensive care that goes beyond pharmacological treatment alone.

BOBIH chooses to intervene precisely here:

  • to address a gap in the healthcare system

  • to offer a free and accessible care pathway

  • to raise awareness within the medical and social context of a responsible, scientific, and person-centered integrative therapy approach

 

A free integrated pathway with clinical and research purposes

The project “Acupuncture to Support Cancer Patients” offers each participant a free course of treatment combined with a scientific research program, with the aim of reducing symptom burden and improving overall well-being during cancer treatments and in subsequent phases.

The program includes:

  • 8 free acupuncture sessions (1 session per week for 8 weeks)

  • Treatment delivered by qualified and certified acupuncturists

  • Use of a standardized clinical protocol based on scientific literature and tailored to predominant symptoms (nausea, pain, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, insomnia, mood disorders, hot flashes, xerostomia)

Joining the project means receiving a personalized acupuncture treatment pathway, while also contributing to an observational study that analyzes the impact of the therapy on patient well-being. Participation is voluntary, may be withdrawn at any time, and all collected data are processed anonymously in compliance with data protection regulations.

What data are collected

To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, the following data are collected before and after the 8-session cycle:

  • Basic clinical data: age, gender, diagnosis, ongoing treatments

  • Main symptoms: pain, nausea, neuropathy, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, xerostomia

  • Treatment course: use of symptomatic medications, adherence to treatment cycles, unplanned healthcare visits, or treatment modifications due to side effects

  • Validated questionnaires: tools that scientifically assess the impact of therapy on the care pathway and evaluate symptoms and multiple aspects of quality of life, such as the EORTC QLQ-C30 or the PSQI (to be completed by participants)

 

A project dedicated to both the person and research

BOBIH pursues this project with a dual objective:

  • To provide oncology patients with concrete, free, and personalized support, promoting overall improvement of symptoms and quality of life during cancer treatment or follow-up phases

  • To generate scientific data useful for understanding the role of acupuncture in integrated care pathways and for promoting a more comprehensive and humane model of healthcare

 

THE STUDY IS OPEN TO PATIENTS WITH A CONFIRMED ONCOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF ANY HISTOTYPE AND STAGE, AGED ≥18 YEARS.

ACCESS TO THE PROJECT IS RESERVED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO, AT THE TIME OF INFORMED CONSENT, ARE UNDERGOING ACTIVE ONCOLOGICAL TREATMENT (CHEMOTHERAPY, RADIOTHERAPY, SYSTEMIC OR HORMONAL THERAPIES) OR WHO HAVE COMPLETED ACTIVE TREATMENT WITHIN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.

 

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM OR WRITE TO info@bobih.org

Nome

 

For those who wish to learn more, a brief scientific bibliography:
  1. Mao, J. J., Pillai, G. G., Andrade, C. J., et al. (2022). Integrative oncology: Addressing the global challenges of cancer care. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(2), 144–164. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21706

A key reference article defining integrative oncology as an evidence-based model for the integration of complementary therapies with conventional cancer care, with a focus on quality of life, symptom management, and equity of access to care.

  1. Mao JJ, Ismaila N, Bao T, Barton D., et al. (2022). Integrative Medicine for Pain Management in Oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 40(34), 3998–4024. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.22.01357

Joint SIO–ASCO guidelines providing evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of integrative interventions (acupuncture, massage, and mind–body techniques) in the management of cancer-related pain.

  1. Lyman, G. H., Greenlee, H., Bohlke, K., et al. (2018). ASCO endorsement of the Society for Integrative Oncology guideline on integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(25), 2647–2655. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2018.79.2721

An ASCO endorsement document evaluating and supporting the SIO recommendations on the use of integrative therapies in breast cancer, clarifying clinical indications and levels of evidence.

  1. Grant SJ, Kwon K, Naehrig D, Asher R, Lacey J. (2021) Characteristics and Symptom Burden of Patients Accessing Acupuncture Services at a Cancer Hospital. Integr Cancer Ther. Jan-Dec; 20:15347354211002253. doi: 10.1177/15347354211002253.

An observational study describing the clinical profile and symptom burden of oncology patients accessing acupuncture services in a hospital setting. It also identifies symptom clusters useful for guiding clinical practice and research.

  1. Posadzki, P., Moon, T. W., Choi, T. Y., et al. (2013). Acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(7), 2067–2073. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1765-z

A systematic review suggesting a potential benefit of acupuncture in cancer-related fatigue, while highlighting methodological limitations and the need for more robust studies.

  1. Choi, T. Y., Kim, J. I., Lim, H. J., et al. (2022). Acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue: An overview of systematic reviews. Cancers, 14(10), 2347. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14102347

A critical overview of systematic reviews on acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue, showing overall favorable results but variable methodological quality.

  1. Lu, W., Rosenthal, D. S., Vora, S. R., et al. (2024). Acupuncture for hot flashes in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer: A pooled analysis. Cancer, 130(3), 412–421. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35374

A pooled analysis of clinical trials demonstrating a significant reduction in hot flashes and an improvement in quality of life in patients with HR-positive breast cancer.

8. Li, Q.-W., Yu, M.-W., Yang, G.-W., et al. (2020). Efficacy of acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with advanced cancer: A multi-center, single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical research. Chinese Medicine, 15, 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-020-00333

A multicenter clinical trial comparing real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The results show a modest reduction in the severity of nausea and vomiting in the acupuncture group, along with improved nutritional status and good treatment tolerability.

  1. Johnston, M. F., Ortiz Sánchez, E., Vujanovic, N. L., et al. (2011). Acupuncture activates NK cells and may modulate anticancer immunity. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, 481625. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep236

An article exploring the potential immunomodulatory mechanisms of acupuncture, with particular focus on natural killer (NK) cell activation, suggesting a possible supportive role in immune response.

  1. World Health Organization. (2025). WHO traditional, complementary and integrative medicine strategy 2025–2034. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/who-global-traditional-medicine-centre/traditional-medicine-strategy-2025-2034

A global strategic document outlining directions for the regulation, research, and safe integration of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine within healthcare systems.