Integrative medicine in cancer survivors.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review recent evidence on the utility of integrative medicine, including massage therapy, for managing physical and emotional issues in cancer survivors.
Results Summary
The study found that massage therapy may help manage physical symptoms like fatigue and pain, as well as emotional issues such as anxiety and fear, in cancer survivors. It suggests that integrative therapies, including massage, are appealing to survivors and may reduce symptom burden.
Population
Cancer survivors experiencing late and long-term sequelae of cancer and its treatment.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical activity | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #1 |
Physical activity | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #2 |
diet | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #3 |
diet | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #4 |
dietary supplements | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #5 |
dietary supplements | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #6 |
mind-body modalities | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #7 |
mind-body modalities | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #8 |
acupuncture | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #9 |
acupuncture | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #10 |
massage therapy | decrease | fatigue and pain | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #11 |
massage therapy | decrease | anxiety and fear | cancer survivors | - | may play a role in the management | #12 |
IM therapies | decrease | symptom burden | cancer survivors | - | may reduce | #13 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Due to medical advances and an aging population, the number of cancer survivors continues to rise. Survivors often experience late and long-term sequelae of cancer and its treatment (e.g., fatigue, pain, fear of recurrence, and stress). As a result, some patients have utilized or expressed interest in integrative medicine (IM) modalities for prevention of recurrence, optimizing health, enhancing quality of life, and managing symptoms. The purpose of this review is to focus on research published during the past year that informs our understanding of the utility of IM for cancer survivors. RECENT FINDINGS: Physical activity, diet, dietary supplements, mind-body modalities, acupuncture, and massage therapy all may play a role in the management of the physical (e.g., fatigue and pain) and emotional (e.g., anxiety and fear) issues faced by cancer survivors. SUMMARY: IM therapies are appealing to and utilized by many cancer survivors and may reduce symptom burden. Clinicians who provide cancer survivorship care may improve patient care by understanding the evidence for and against their use.