For many breast cancer survivors, the relief of remission doesn’t signal the end of their health challenges. A significant proportion-over 40%-experience lingering cognitive difficulties, often described as “brain fog,” that can disrupt daily life. Now, emerging research offers a potential new tool for managing these debilitating effects, with a recent study suggesting acupuncture may help restore cognitive function following cancer treatment. The findings, presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2025, are prompting further examination into this complementary therapy approach.
More than 40% of breast cancer survivors experience cognitive changes following treatment, impacting their ability to concentrate, remember details, and perform daily tasks. These challenges, often described as “brain fog,” can significantly diminish quality of life even after cancer is in remission, highlighting the need for effective supportive therapies.
While treatment options for these cognitive difficulties have been limited, new research suggests acupuncture may offer a promising avenue for recovery. A recent study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in December 2025 investigated the potential of acupuncture to restore cognitive function in women who have completed breast cancer treatment.
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The findings offer a potential new approach to managing a common and debilitating side effect of breast cancer treatment.
Persistent Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive dysfunction after cancer treatment extends beyond occasional forgetfulness, significantly impacting a patient’s daily life, according to Jun J. Mao, MD, MSCE, a founder of Greatly Health. “Cancer-related cognitive difficulties can make everyday activities more challenging and have a substantial impact on a patient’s well-being,” Mao explained.
The study found that these cognitive issues can persist long after cancer is in remission, potentially linked to the effects of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, stress, and sleep disturbances like insomnia. Previous research has established a strong connection between insomnia and cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors, prompting researchers to explore the benefits of acupuncture, a practice known for addressing both insomnia and post-cancer recovery.
The phase II ENHNACE clinical trial involved 260 women with a history of stage 0-III breast cancer who reported cognitive impairment following treatment. Participants were divided into three groups: real acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and usual care. The sham acupuncture group received a similar procedure to real acupuncture, but the needles did not penetrate the skin or target traditional acupuncture points.
After 10 weeks, both the real and sham acupuncture groups demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in cognitive function, with scores increasing by approximately 10 points – significantly higher than the 4.8-point increase observed in the usual care group. This suggests that the act of receiving care and the relaxation associated with acupuncture may play a role in symptom improvement.
Notably, real acupuncture showed additional benefits in specific areas. Objective cognitive testing measuring memory and attention revealed superior results in the real acupuncture group compared to the sham acupuncture group. “Real acupuncture appears to provide additional benefits for objective cognitive function, although further research is needed to confirm this,” Mao said.
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Small Needles, Significant Impact
The improvements seen in the sham acupuncture group suggest that the therapeutic benefits extend beyond the physiological effects of needle placement. According to Mao, “The personal attention, feeling cared for, and relaxation experienced during acupuncture sessions can help improve patients’ perceptions of their cognitive condition.”
Acupuncture is generally considered safe, with reported side effects typically mild, such as minor bruising at the needle insertion sites. Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, encourages patients interested in trying acupuncture. “There is no data to suggest harm. In fact, the data suggest acupuncture helps improve symptoms resulting from cancer treatment,” she stated.
However, experts emphasize that acupuncture should be used as a complementary therapy, not a replacement for standard medical care. Access and cost remain considerations, given the high demand and limited availability of qualified practitioners.
These early findings offer a glimmer of hope for breast cancer survivors struggling with cognitive impairment, and further, larger studies are underway to validate these results.
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