What's Happening?
A recent phase III single-blind randomized clinical trial, as reported in JAMA Network Open, has demonstrated that self-acupressure, taught via a mobile app, can significantly reduce fatigue in ovarian
cancer survivors. The study involved 171 participants who were divided into three groups: true self-acupressure, sham self-acupressure, and usual care. Over a six-week period, those practicing true self-acupressure reported a clinically meaningful reduction in fatigue compared to the usual care group. The study found that 58.5% of participants in the true self-acupressure group achieved normal fatigue levels, compared to 17.6% in the usual care group. The benefits of self-acupressure were sustained at 24 weeks, with no adverse events reported.
Why It's Important?
This study highlights the potential of self-acupressure as a low-cost, safe, and effective method for managing cancer-related fatigue, a common issue among ovarian cancer survivors. The findings are significant as they offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional fatigue management strategies, which often involve medication or more intensive therapies. By providing a method that can be easily taught through a mobile app, this approach could be widely accessible, offering relief to many who suffer from fatigue post-cancer treatment. The study underscores the importance of exploring integrative therapies in oncology, particularly for conditions like fatigue that significantly impact quality of life.
What's Next?
The study's authors suggest that more research is needed to further explore self-acupressure and other integrative therapies for cancer-related fatigue. Given the promising results, future studies could expand to include larger and more diverse populations to validate these findings. Additionally, the integration of self-acupressure into standard care practices for cancer survivors could be considered, potentially leading to new guidelines and recommendations for managing fatigue in this population.
