Warming-dredging acupuncture for cancer-related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
In brief
Warm-dredge acupuncture boosts cancer pain relief by 26 percent
A meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials (1,278 patients) found that adding warming-dredging acupuncture to standard care increased the proportion of patients achieving pain relief by about one quarter and lowered pain scores by roughly one point on typical scales. Adverse events were also markedly fewer, though the overall evidence quality ranged from moderate to very low, leaving questions about long-term benefit and optimal use.
- Journal
- Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) (Q1)
- Published
- 30 July 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Jianlong Tu, Qiumei Wu, Jing Wu, Lunling Gan, Jing Xu, Xiaoting Xu
- PMID
- 42597724
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpain.2026.1870255
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Warming‑dredging acupuncture improves cancer pain
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cancer-related pain (CRP) affects up to 60% of patients during malignancy progression, with many experiencing insufficient relief from pharmacological treatments alone. Warming-dredging acupuncture (WDA) integrates thermal and mechanical stimulation to achieve synergistic analgesic effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and opioid-sparing potential of WDA in managing CRP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and the clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) through March 9, 2026. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. We used RevMan 5.4 and Stata 19.0 to analyze data, the RoB 2 tool to assess the risk of bias, and the GRADE system to assess the certainty of the evidence, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO: CRD420261335674). RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs involving 1278 participants were included. WDA significantly enhanced pain relief rates (RR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.19-1.33) and reduced pain scores (MD = -1.05; 95% CI: -1.49 to -0.61) compared to controls. WDA also showed a lower risk of adverse events (RR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.26-0.46), and evidence suggested a possible reduction trend in analgesic consumption. GRADE certainty ranged from moderate to very low. CONCLUSIONS: Warming-dredging acupuncture combined with routine pain management may offer a promising adjunct for multimodal cancer pain management, but the certainty of evidence varied across outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261335674 identifier CRD420261335674.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.