Effect of complementary and alternative medicine interventions on cancer related pain among breast cancer patients: A systematic review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of massage as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention for reducing cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients.
Results Summary
The study found that massage, along with other CAM interventions, improved cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients, though aromatherapy showed no effect. The results were based on a systematic review of 46 studies involving 3685 participants.
Population
Breast cancer patients experiencing cancer-related pain.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture/acupressure | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #1 |
tai chi/qi gong | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #2 |
hypnosis | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #3 |
meditation | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #4 |
music therapy | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #5 |
yoga | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #6 |
massage | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #7 |
reflexology | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #8 |
Reiki | decrease | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | improve | #9 |
aromatherapy | no change | cancer-related pain | breast cancer patients | - | had no effect | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CAM interventions for cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were searched from January 1, 2000, up to April 31, 2019, using the keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine therapies and cancer related pain. Standard tools were used to evaluate the quality of the studies included. RESULTS: Of the 3742 articles found, 46 articles comprising 3685 participants entered the final phase. Our results indicate that interventions including acupuncture/acupressure, tai chi/qi gong, hypnosis, meditation, music therapy, yoga, massage, reflexology, and Reiki improve cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients. However, aromatherapy had no effect on the same. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the positive effect of various CAM interventions in reducing cancer-related pain, necessary precautions should be adopted to use them alongside other treatments to control cancer pain in the clinical setting.