Hot flushes caused by Taoxifen can be damaging to patients quality of life, and frequently prevent patients from getting a good nights sleep.

Mrs Jill Hervik, Physiotherapist and Acupuncturist at the Vestfold Central Hospital in Norway, discusses their trial which investigates acupuncture as a way to combat hot flushes brought on by Tamoxifen. Acupuncture reduced by half the hot flushes caused by tamoxifen. Relief was experienced both day and night, and the reduction in hot flushes was seen 3 months after the last acupuncture treatment. The treatment effect seems to coincide with a general improvement in well-being, as measured by the Kupperman Index, which assesses quality of life.