This is an in-depth assessment of the current evidence for acupuncture for breathlessness in cancer. Follow the links for other information regarding acupuncture for cancer:
No systematic reviews have focused exclusively on acupuncture or related techniques for cancer-related breathlessness. Existing reviews either included breathlessness from mixed conditions (van Trott 2020) or evaluated acupuncture alongside other interventions (Dy 2020). Two network metanalyses (Vo 2025; Gupta 2025) evaluated acupressure and reflexology together so no conclusions can be drawn on acupressure alone. The evidence base is limited: only two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and one of acupressure have been conducted.
Acupuncture
In a rigorously conducted RCT (45 evaluable patients with advanced cancer), a single session of real or sham acupuncture plus standard care resulted in a small, non-significant improvement in breathlessness with real acupuncture. (Vickers 2005) The authors concluded that effects were unlikely to be meaningfully greater than placebo.
A larger RCT (173 patients with advanced lung cancer or mesothelioma) compared acupuncture, morphine, and their combination. Response rates did not differ significantly between groups. (Minchom 2016) However, fewer patients in the acupuncture group required morphine, and adverse effects were fewer. The trial was slightly underpowered and unblinded, limiting confidence in results.
Acupressure
One RCT (n=60) found statistically significant improvements in breathlessness with self-administered acupressure compared to usual care. (Dogan 2020). However, the clinical relevance is unclear, and lack of blinding is a limitation.
References
Doğan N, Taşcı S. The Effects of Acupressure on Quality of Life and Dyspnea in Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2020;26(1):49-56.
Dy SM, Gupta A, Waldfogel JM, Sharma R, Zhang A, Feliciano JL, et al. AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. Interventions for Breathlessness in Patients With Advanced Cancer. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2020.
Gupta A, Sedhom R, Sharma R, et al. Nonpharmacological Interventions for Managing Breathlessness in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review. JAMA Oncol. 2021 Feb 1;7(2):290-298. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.5184. PMID: 33211072.
Minchom A, Punwani R, Filshie J, Bhosle J, Nimako K, Myerson J, et al. A randomised study comparing the effectiveness of acupuncture or morphine versus the combination for the relief of dyspnoea in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. Eur J Cancer 2016; 61:102-10pp.
Trott P von, Oei SL, Ramsenthaler C. Acupuncture for Breathlessness in Advanced Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of pain and symptom management. 2020;59(2):327-38.e3.
Vickers AJ, Feinstein MB, Deng GE et al. Acupuncture for dyspnea in advanced cancer: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial. BMC Palliat Care 2005; 4: 5.
Vo AT, Ta KT, Chuang KJ. Comparative effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for dyspnea management in advanced cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Feb 18;12:100671. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2025.100671.
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