Effect of Electroacupuncture Added to ERAS on Perioperative Parameters and Postoperative Quality of Life in Breast Cancer: A Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Acupuncture is a potentially beneficial addition to the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) strategy for improving the quality of surgical care for breast cancer. This study evaluated the advantages of acupuncture in postoperative recovery after breast cancer surgery.

Design: A prospective, blinded, randomized, case-control study.

Methods: In this single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 144 breast cancer patients undergoing surgery were allocated to the following groups: (group A) conventional group (no acupuncture treatment); (group B) preoperative acupuncture (acupuncture treatment given 1 day before surgery); (group C) intraoperative acupuncture (acupuncture treatment given on the day of surgery); and (group D) a combination of preoperative and intraoperative acupuncture (n = 36/group). The primary outcome was the intraoperative consumption of anesthetics. The secondary outcomes included heart rate and blood pressure changes, intraoperative blood glucose level, pH, and bispectral index, recovery and extubation time, postoperative functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast score, and adverse reactions.

Findings: Intraoperative consumption of sufentanil and blood glucose level was significantly decreased in group C, and no interactive effect was found between the preoperative and intraoperative acupuncture groups. Preoperative heart rate in groups B and C showed significant changes. The 1-week postoperative functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast score was most markedly improved in group C compared with other groups. No adverse reaction occurred with acupuncture.

Conclusions: Intraoperative acupuncture alone is adequate for optimizing the intraoperative state, and preoperative acupuncture seems unnecessary. Acupuncture is safe, with potential benefits for enhanced recovery after surgery in breast cancer surgery.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800019979.