A prospective, randomized trial of integrative medicine for women with ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objectives Despite increased use of integrative medicine in cancer therapy, little data exist on its efficacy. This prospective, randomized, pilot trial sought to evaluate the feasibility of combined modality integrative medicine (CM-IM) in women with ovarian cancer (OvCA) and evaluate its effects on quality of life (QoL), chemotherapy toxicity and immunologic profiles. Methods Women with newly diagnosed OvCA requiring chemotherapy were offered enrollment. Those randomized to the experimental arm received hypnosis, therapeutic massage and healing touch with each cycle of chemotherapy. The control arm received chemotherapy without CM-IM. All patients completed QoL questionnaires prior to cycles 1, 3 and 6, and 6-months after chemotherapy. Immunologic profiles were measured. Statistical analysis was based on intent-to-treat. Student’s t-test and Fischer’s exact-test were used to determine differences. Results Forty-three women enrolled. All women randomized to CM-IM were successfully treated. There were no statistical differences between the groups in age, stage, grade, histologic cell type, CA125 levels, or surgical cytoreductive status. There was no difference in overall QoL measurements. Re-hospitalization rates, treatment delays, anti-emetic use, and infection rates were similar. Immunologic profiles revealed no difference between arms for WBC or salivary IgA levels. Women receiving CM-IM had consistently higher levels of CD4, CD8 and NK cells, although this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Prospective clinical evaluation of integrative medicine for women with gynecologic malignancy is feasible. This first, pilot study of CM-IM in gynecologic oncology demonstrated no improvement in QoL or chemotherapy toxicity. Integrative medicine-associated improvements in immunologic profiles warrant further investigation.

Incorporating Integrative Medicine Into Standard Oncologic Management

“…[1][2][3] In recognition of this, we are expanding our program and focusing on reasons why patients avoid complementary therapies including resource barriers, fear, and concerns with toxicity. Although data support that alternative therapies are increasingly being used by cancer patients, more evidence supporting these therapies is required due to the paucity of data and the often conflicting nature of reports.…”

Bioenergy and Breast Cancer: A Report on Tumor Growth and Metastasis

“…This same study also found significant improvement in depressed mood among those participants receiving the HT intervention. Judson et al [ 24 ] found a trend for improvement in immunological profiles among ovarian cancer patients treated with an integrative therapy package (including HT) during chemotherapy treatment and conclude that the intervention warrants further investigation. Gronowicz et al [ 8 ] utilized Therapeutic Touch (bioenergy) in a breast cancer mouse model with 4T1 modified 66c14 (highly metastatic to lymph nodes breast cancer cell line) and was able to demonstrate significant downregulation of specific lymphocytes, macrophages, and serum cytokines.…”

O efeito do reiki no manejo de sintomas de pessoas em cuidados paliativos oncológicos

“…Cada vez mais pessoas com câncer, especialmente mulheres com câncer, estão recorrendo à MI para atender às necessidades não atendidas durante a terapia convencional. Alguns autores relatam que até 80% de todas as pessoas com câncer e 44% dasJUDSON et al, 2011;NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH, 2020).Considerando o que foi posto acima, o marco teórico desse estudo é o da MedicinaIntegrativa no contexto dos cuidados paliativos, para uma melhor compreensão do seu papel na definição, evidências e elaboração de projetos para aplicação dentro desses centros de…”

“…sistemas médicos completos, medicina mente-corpo, práticas baseadas na biologia, práticas manipulativas e corporais e medicina energética(JUDSON et al, 2011).Na figura 1 são encontradas as seguintes terminologias referentes à Medicina Integrativa:Figura 4 -Termos utilizados para Medicina Integrativa na Literatura. Fonte: Hirayama (2016).O Consórcio Acadêmico para Medicina Integrativa e Saúde dos Estados Unidos (2020, on-line) define MI como a prática da medicina que reafirma a importância da relação entre médico e paciente, enfoca a pessoa como um todo, é informado por evidências e faz uso de todas as abordagens terapêuticas e de estilo de vida adequadas, profissionais de saúde e disciplinas para alcançar a saúde e a cura ideais.…”

“…Fonte: Hirayama (2016).O Consórcio Acadêmico para Medicina Integrativa e Saúde dos Estados Unidos (2020, on-line) define MI como a prática da medicina que reafirma a importância da relação entre médico e paciente, enfoca a pessoa como um todo, é informado por evidências e faz uso de todas as abordagens terapêuticas e de estilo de vida adequadas, profissionais de saúde e disciplinas para alcançar a saúde e a cura ideais. O mulheres com câncer ginecológico usam alguma forma de MI durante o curso do seu tratamento(JUDSON et al, 2011). As pessoas podem se beneficiar com as técnicas oferecidas, mesmo nas fases avançadas da doença, podendo melhorar a qualidade de vida e sintomas causados pela doença (de baixo custo.…”