A Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Interventions for the Management of Cancer-Related Fatigue
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 30 April 2013
- journal article
- review article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Integrative Cancer Therapies
- Vol. 12 (4), 276-290
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413485816
Abstract
Fatigue, experienced by patients during and following cancer treatment, is a significant clinical problem. It is a prevalent and distressing symptom yet pharmacological interventions are used little and confer limited benefit for patients. However, many cancer patients use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and some evidence suggests it may relieve fatigue. A systematic review was conducted to appraise the effectiveness of CAM interventions in ameliorating cancer-related fatigue. Systematic searches of biomedical, nursing, and specialist CAM databases were conducted, including Medline, Embase, and AMED. Included papers described interventions classified as CAM by the National Centre of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and evaluated through randomized controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experimental design. Twenty studies were eligible for the review, of which 15 were RCTs. Forms of CAM interventions examined included acupuncture, massage, yoga, and relaxation training. The review identified some limited evidence suggesting hypnosis and ginseng may prevent rises in cancer-related fatigue in people undergoing treatment for cancer and acupuncture and that biofield healing may reduce cancer-related fatigue following cancer treatments. Evidence to date suggests that multivitamins are ineffective at reducing cancer-related fatigue. However, trials incorporated within the review varied greatly in quality; most were methodologically weak and at high risk of bias. Consequently, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude with certainty the effectiveness or otherwise of CAM in reducing cancer-related fatigue. The design and methods employed in future trials of CAM should be more rigorous; increasing the strength of evidence should be a priority.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Patient education integrated with acupuncture for relief of cancer-related fatigue randomized controlled feasibility studyBMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
- The Outcomes of Visualization and Acupuncture on the Quality of Life of Adult Cancer Patients Receiving ChemotherapyCancer Nursing, 2010
- ASCPRO Recommendations for the Assessment of Fatigue as an Outcome in Clinical TrialsJournal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2010
- Impact of Medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trialAnnals Of Oncology, 2009
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological and activity-based interventions for cancer-related fatigue.Health Psychology, 2007
- Clinically relevant fatigue in cancer outpatients: the Edinburgh Cancer Centre symptom studyAnnals Of Oncology, 2007
- The management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy with acupuncture and acupressure: A randomised controlled trialComplementary Therapies in Medicine, 2006
- Cancer-related fatigue: A critical appraisalEuropean Journal Of Cancer, 2006
- Characteristic and incidental (placebo) effects in complex interventions such as acupunctureBMJ, 2005
- The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Pain and Fatigue of Cancer Patients Undergoing ChemotherapyEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2000