Objectives of this study:~Primary objective:~To evaluate whether acupuncture as a non-pharmacological treatment, administered twice weekly for 6 weeks can significantly reduce joint stiffness related to AIs in women with early-stage breast cancer as measured by the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) stiffness score at weeks 6.~Secondary objectives:~To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on joint stiffness measured by the WOMAC stiffness score at weeks 12.~To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on joint stiffness measured by the Modified Score for the Assessment of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands (M-SACRAH) stiffness score at weeks 6 and weeks 12.~To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on quality of life (QOL) assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Subscales (FACT-ES) at weeks 6 and weeks 12.~To evaluate the safety and tolerability of acupuncture in the enrolled patients.~To identify potential genetic determinants to response to acupuncture.
RATIONALE: Acupuncture may help relieve joint stiffness related to aromatase inhibitors in patients with early-stage breast cancer.~PURPOSE: This single arm clinical study aims to evaluate how well acupuncture as a non-pharmacological treatment, works in treating patients with joint stiffness related to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with early-stage breast cancer.