Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Integrative Therapies in Cancer Care: An Update on the Guidelines.

American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting
June 1, 2024
Krisstina Gowin et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of integrative approaches, including lavender essential oils, in managing anxiety among cancer patients.

Results Summary

Lavender essential oils were recommended as one of the modalities for managing anxiety in cancer patients, alongside other interventions like mindfulness-based programs and yoga. The guidelines provided strong recommendations for mindfulness-based interventions but did not specify the strength of recommendation for lavender essential oils.

Population

Cancer patients (during active treatment and post-treatment)

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
in-person or web-based mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and tai chi or qigong
decrease
cancer fatigue
patients with cancer during treatment
-
Strong recommendations for management
#1
mindfulness-based programs
decrease
cancer fatigue
patients with cancer after cancer treatment
-
Strong recommendations for management
#2
cannabis or cannabinoids
no change
cancer-directed treatment
patients with cancer
-
recommend against using
#3
Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), yoga, hypnosis, relaxation therapies, music therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, tai chi, and lavender essential oils
decrease
anxiety
people with cancer
-
recommended modalities for managing
#4
Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
people with cancer, both during active treatment and post-treatment
-
strongest recommendation is that MBIs should be offered
#5
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: ASCO and the Society for Integrative Oncology have collaborated to develop guidelines for the application of integrative approaches in the management of anxiety, depression, fatigue and use of cannabinoids and cannabis in patients with cancer. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to improve outcomes and quality of life by enhancing conventional cancer treatment with integrative modalities. METHODS: All studies that informed the guideline recommendations were reviewed by an Expert Panel which was made up of a patient advocate, an ASCO methodologist, oncology providers, and integrative medicine experts. Panel members reviewed each trial for quality of evidence, determined a grade quality assessment label, and concluded strength of recommendations. RESULTS: Strong recommendations for management of cancer fatigue during treatment were given to both in-person or web-based mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and tai chi or qigong. Strong recommendations for management of cancer fatigue after cancer treatment were given to mindfulness-based programs. Clinicians should recommend against using cannabis or cannabinoids as a cancer-directed treatment unless within the context of a clinical trial. The recommended modalities for managing anxiety included Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), yoga, hypnosis, relaxation therapies, music therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, tai chi, and lavender essential oils. The strongest recommendation in the guideline is that MBIs should be offered to people with cancer, both during active treatment and post-treatment, to address depression. CONCLUSION: The evidence for integrative interventions in cancer care is growing, with research now supporting benefits of integrative interventions across the cancer care continuum.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansNeoplasmsIntegrative MedicinePractice Guidelines as TopicComplementary TherapiesIntegrative OncologyQuality of LifeAnxiety
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year12.0
Relative Citation Ratio4.83
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score3.17
Normalized Score0.67
Related Supplements