A randomised, pragmatic clinical trial of ACUpuncture plus standard care versus standard care alone FOr Chemotherapy Induced peripheral Neuropathy (ACUFOCIN).

Open-label trial with no sham acupuncture, so attention, expectation and routine contact may have influenced patient-reported symptoms. Clinicians were not guaranteed to be blind to allocation because assessments occurred in routine clinic and participants might have disclosed their group. The main outcome was a patient-reported 0-6 symptom score, and no objective nerve test such as nerve conduction study was used. Follow-up was only 10 weeks, so it is unknown whether symptom improvement persisted. Participants had different cancers, chemotherapy regimens, and acute or chronic neuropathy, so it is unclear which subgroups benefit most. Both groups received usual medication, so the effect of acupuncture alone cannot be separated from medication management. Primary outcome data were missing for some participants; the pessimistic sensitivity analysis reduced the difference but still favoured acupuncture.

This was independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research Research for Patient Benefit programme. The Pink Ribbon Foundation financed the acupuncturists. The funding bodies had no role in trial design, data collection, analysis, interpretation or manuscript writing. Authors declared no competing interests.

Do not conclude that acupuncture alone treats chemotherapy-induced neuropathy or that benefits are long-term. Participants also received usual medication, the trial was open-label without sham acupuncture, and outcomes were measured only at 10 weeks.