Patient-Reported Outcomes of Pain and Related Symptoms in Integrative Oncology Practice and Clinical Research: Evidence and Recommendations.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize current, validated patient-reported outcomes (PROs) specific to cancer-related pain to aid clinicians and researchers in evaluating the effectiveness of integrative interventions like massage.
Results Summary
The abstract indicates that massage is an effective nonpharmacologic approach for cancer pain with low cost and minimal adverse events, and it highlights the importance of standardized PROs for assessing pain intensity and symptom burden.
Population
Patients with cancer and cancer survivors.
Effective Dosage
Not Assessed
Duration
Not Assessed
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture | decrease | cancer pain | patients with cancer and cancer survivors | - | effective | #1 |
massage | decrease | cancer pain | patients with cancer and cancer survivors | - | effective | #2 |
music therapy | decrease | cancer pain | patients with cancer and cancer survivors | - | effective | #3 |
integrative interventions | neutral | - | - | - | low cost | #4 |
integrative interventions | neutral | - | - | - | minimal adverse events | #5 |
patient-reported outcomes | neutral | pain intensity | - | - | can be used to evaluate | #6 |
patient-reported outcomes | neutral | associated symptom burden | - | - | can be used to evaluate | #7 |
patient-reported outcomes | neutral | quality of life | - | - | can be used to evaluate | #8 |
clearly defined, reliable PROs | increase | patient satisfaction | - | - | can improve | #9 |
clearly defined, reliable PROs | increase | symptom control | - | - | can improve | #10 |
Brief Pain Inventory | neutral | pain intensity assessment | - | - | most commonly used | #11 |
MD Anderson Symptom Inventory | neutral | pain-associated symptom burden | - | - | can capture | #12 |
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale | neutral | pain-associated symptom burden | - | - | can capture | #13 |
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System | neutral | pain-associated symptom burden | - | - | can capture | #14 |
Patient-Reported Outcomes-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events measurement system | neutral | pain-associated symptom burden | - | - | can capture | #15 |
electronic PROs | neutral | collecting and analyzing PRO data | - | - | provide flexibility | #16 |
clinical trials using carefully selected PROs and rigorous statistical analysis plans | neutral | high-quality integrative oncology research | - | - | fundamental to conducting | #17 |
clinical trials using carefully selected PROs and rigorous statistical analysis plans | neutral | effective integrative interventions | - | - | fundamental to promoting utilization | #18 |
effective integrative interventions | increase | patient outcomes | - | - | to improve | #19 |
Pain is a primary concern among patients with cancer and cancer survivors. Integrative interventions such as acupuncture, massage, and music therapy are effective nonpharmacologic approaches for cancer pain with low cost and minimal adverse events. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that have been validated in many clinical and research settings can be used to evaluate pain intensity, associated symptom burden, and quality of life. Clearly defined, reliable PROs can improve patient satisfaction and symptom control. As integrative oncology continues to evolve and expand, cancer-related pain PROs must be standardized to accurately guide clinicians and researchers. Well-validated pain PROs, such as the Brief Pain Inventory, are among the most commonly used for pain intensity assessment. Multiple symptom assessment tools such as the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events measurement system can also capture pain-associated symptom burden. Electronic PROs provide flexibility in collecting and analyzing PRO data. Clinical trials using carefully selected PROs and rigorous statistical analysis plans are fundamental to conducting high-quality integrative oncology research and promoting utilization of effective integrative interventions to improve patient outcomes. In this review, we aim to summarize current, validated PROs specific to cancer-related pain to aid integrative oncology clinicians and researchers in patient care and in study design and implementation.