Acupuncture and Aromatase Inhibitor Related Arthralgia
RATIONALE: Acupuncture may help relieve moderate or severe joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying acupuncture in treating women with stage I, stage II, or stage III breast cancer with aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain.
• History of stage I, II, or III breast cancer
• Visit with oncologist within the previous 3-month period and free of disease by clinical examination and history
• Currently receiving aromatase inhibitors (Anastrozole, Letrozole, or Exemestane) as per chart abstraction
• Postmenopausal, as defined by cessation of menses for a least 1 year or FSH > 40 mlU/mL
• Can understand written English
• Having worst joint pain rated at least 4 or greater on an 11-point (0-10) numerical rating scale in the preceding week
• Having had at least 15 days with pain in the preceding 30 days
• Having had joint pain for at least 3 months
• Joint pain attributed to the use of aromatase inhibitors
• Willingness to adhere to all study-related procedures including randomization to one of the three possible choices: real acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, and wait-list control