Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in managing anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with cancer during and after treatment.
Results Summary
The study found that MBIs were recommended for treating both anxiety and depression symptoms during active cancer treatment and post-treatment, indicating their effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes in this population.
Population
Adults living with cancer (during active treatment and post-treatment).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #1 |
yoga | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #2 |
relaxation | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #3 |
music therapy | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #4 |
reflexology | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #5 |
aromatherapy (using inhalation) | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer during active treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer after cancer treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #7 |
yoga | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer after cancer treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #8 |
acupuncture | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer after cancer treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #9 |
tai chi and/or qigong | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer after cancer treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #10 |
reflexology | decrease | anxiety | adults living with cancer after cancer treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #11 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer during treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #12 |
yoga | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer during treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #13 |
music therapy | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer during treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #14 |
relaxation | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer during treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #15 |
reflexology | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer during treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #16 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer post-treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #17 |
yoga | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer post-treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #18 |
tai chi and/or qigong | decrease | depression | adults living with cancer post-treatment | - | recommended for treating symptoms | #19 |
PURPOSE: To provide evidence-based recommendations to health care providers on integrative approaches to managing anxiety and depression symptoms in adults living with cancer. METHODS: The Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO convened an expert panel of integrative oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, palliative oncology, social sciences, mind-body medicine, nursing, methodology, and patient advocacy representatives. The literature search included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through 2023. Outcomes of interest included anxiety or depression symptoms as measured by validated psychometric tools, and adverse events. Expert panel members used this evidence and informal consensus with the Guidelines into Decision Support methodology to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations. RESULTS: The literature search identified 110 relevant studies (30 systematic reviews and 80 randomized controlled trials) to inform the evidence base for this guideline. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations were made for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), yoga, relaxation, music therapy, reflexology, and aromatherapy (using inhalation) for treating symptoms of anxiety during active treatment; and MBIs, yoga, acupuncture, tai chi and/or qigong, and reflexology for treating anxiety symptoms after cancer treatment. For depression symptoms, MBIs, yoga, music therapy, relaxation, and reflexology were recommended during treatment, and MBIs, yoga, and tai chi and/or qigong were recommended post-treatment. DISCUSSION: Issues of patient-health care provider communication, health disparities, comorbid medical conditions, cost implications, guideline implementation, provider training and credentialing, and quality assurance of natural health products are discussed. While several approaches such as MBIs and yoga appear effective, limitations of the evidence base including assessment of risk of bias, nonstandardization of therapies, lack of diversity in study samples, and lack of active control conditions as well as future research directions are discussed.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/survivorship-guidelines.