Anthroposophic medicine in paediatric oncology in Germany: Results of a population-based retrospective parental survey

Läengler, Alfred; Spix, Claudia; Edelhäuser, Friedrich; Martin, David; Kameda, Genn; Kaatsch, Peter; Seifert, Georg

doi:10.1002/pbc.22523

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…Integrative medicine is used in up to 70% of adult oncology cases [ 1 ] and up to a third of pediatric oncology patients in Germany have been found to use some form of integrative therapy during cancer treatment [ 2 ]. Of pediatric patients in oncological treatment who also use integrative therapy, a broad survey with users found that anthroposophic supportive treatment (AST) was used by a third of patients in German pediatric oncological units [ 3 ]. Deriving from an alternative-holistic medical tradition developed by Steiner and Wegman in the 1920s that is well-established in Germany and in Europe, anthroposophic medicinal products (AMP) are used in cancer treatment for symptom management, to achieve a stable condition, to improve the tolerability of standard chemotherapy and improve the quality of life (QoL) [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Deriving from an alternative-holistic medical tradition developed by Steiner and Wegman in the 1920s that is well-established in Germany and in Europe, anthroposophic medicinal products (AMP) are used in cancer treatment for symptom management, to achieve a stable condition, to improve the tolerability of standard chemotherapy and improve the quality of life (QoL) [ 4 ]. AMP in pediatric oncology consist of a range of plant and animal-based tinctures, globules, extracts, injections, and compresses [ 3 ]. Mistletoe, given in oral and injectable form, is the most frequently used AMP in oncology and has demonstrated some benefit [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite a century of AST for oncological patients such as mistletoe, the effect of treatments given in conjunction with standard chemotherapy is not well-studied in oncology and even less so in pediatric oncology. Evaluated exceptions have shown that in particular, children may benefit from AST interventions [ 3 , 7 ]. The small body of research that does exist in pediatric oncology using AST has featured case studies highlighting safety [ 8 – 10 ] and quality of life for the young person [ 11 , 12 ] rather than results of planned clinical trials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrative medicine during the intensive phase of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology in Germany: a randomized controlled trial with 5-year follow up

et al. 2022

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Background Integrative medicine is used frequently alongside chemotherapy treatment in pediatric oncology, but little is known about the influence on toxicity. This German, multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of complementary treatments on toxicity related to intensive-phase chemotherapy treatment in children aged 1–18 with the primary outcome of the toxicity sum score. Secondary outcomes were chemotherapy-related toxicity, overall and event-free survival after 5 years in study patients. Methods Intervention and control were given standard chemotherapy according to malignancy & tumor type. The intervention arm was provided with anthroposophic supportive treatment (AST); given as anthroposophic base medication (AMP), as a base medication for all patients and additional on-demand treatment tailored to the intervention malignancy groups. The control was given no AMP. The toxicity sum score (TSS) was assessed using NCI-CTC scales. Results Data of 288 patients could be analyzed. Analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the AST and the control group for the primary endpoint or the toxicity measures (secondary endpoints). Furthermore, groups did not differ significantly in the five-year overall and event-free survival follow up. Discussion In this trial findings showed that AST was able to be safely administered in a clinical setting, although no beneficial effects of AST between group toxicity scores, overall or event-free survival were shown.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrative medicine during the intensive phase of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology in Germany: a randomized controlled trial with 5-year follow up

et al. 2022

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“…30 The effects of anthroposophic therapies (ie, anthroposophic medication, anthroposophic physiotherapy, eurythmy therapy, art therapy, anthroposophic coaching, anthroposophic dietetics, anthroposophic nursing) for cancer patients are promising. 18,[20][21][22][23][32][33][34][35][36][37] Treatment objectives of anthroposophic therapies are among others: cancer-related immunostimulation (eg, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenesis of the tumor cells, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects), [38][39][40] increasing vitality of the patient, 22 and supporting thermoregulation (because patients often experience debilitating deficiencies in their ability to achieve thermal comfort, feeling excessively hot or cold under circumstances when others are comfortable). 41 In Germany, there are certified cancer hospitals, where German cancer patients are treated with AM integrated oncological care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Steps in the Development of an Expertise-Based Anthroposophic Complex Intervention for Oncological Treatment in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2020

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an anthroposophic complex intervention (CI) for oncological patients in primary care. Methods: Standardized methods for the development of CIs were used. Qualitative data were collected among professionals (n = 44) working in 3 Dutch anthroposophic primary care centers. The following topics were discussed in interviews and panel discussions (n = 12): treatment phases, treatment dimensions, treatment goals, and content of the indicated treatments and therapies. In a multidisciplinary focus group (n = 23) completeness and comprehensibility of the CI, and integration in daily practice were addressed. Subsequently, the developed CI was tested on face validity (n = 21) and compared with conventional guidelines. Results: Professionals reached consensus about 4 oncological treatment phases, 4 anthroposophic treatment dimensions, and twelve general treatment goals. The following anthroposophic therapies were found to be suited for oncological patients in primary care: medication (eg, mistletoe preparations); nursing (eg, external embrocation); physiotherapy (eg, rhythmic massage); eurythmy therapy; dietetics; art therapy; and counseling. The content of each therapy must be tailored to the individual. Comparison with existing guidelines demonstrated added value and the ability to fit with conventional care. Discussion: Strengths of the developed CI prototype are its focus on primary care, its practical applicability, the use of validated research methods, and the check on face validity in 2 other Dutch anthroposophic primary care centers. Limitations are that no systematic literature review was done and patient experiences were not collected. Conclusions: An applicable prototype of an anthroposophic CI for oncological patients in primary care was developed. To complete the development of this CI, a systematic review of the literature is needed, feasibility should be tested, patient experiences need to be collected, and implementation should be initiated and monitored. Finally, development of a patient decision aid (PtDA) and a decision-making tool (DMT) are recommended.

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“…Anthroposophic medicine is an often-used medical system [21]. It was founded by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wagner in the 1920s and considers the entire human being in diagnostics and therapies [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: A Systematic Review of Anthroposophic Therapies

et al. 2018

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Background: Acute gastroenteritis in children accounts for about 10% of hospital admissions and is still one of the major causes of death worldwide. As many children are treated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and anthroposophic medicine, respectively, especially in Europe, the aim of this review was to descriptively present published anthroposophic therapies applied for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in childhood. Methods: A complex search strategy recording a broad spectrum of CAM therapies was developed to identify anthroposophic therapy options for the treatment of gastroenteritis in children. The search was conducted in 4 general scientific as well as 3 CAM-specific databases. Results: In total, 3,086 articles were identified and screened for anthroposophic related content. The majority of hits deal with nutritional/dietary therapies. Articles considering anthroposophic approaches constitute only 3.1% (7/227) of all CAM-related articles. Among these articles 2 observational studies, 3 experience reports and 2 reviews were identified. In the experience reports, a variety of anthroposophic remedies was recommended but mostly unsupported by scientific evidence. However, observational studies for the anthroposophic medications, Bolus alba comp. and Gentiana comp., were detected. Additionally, studies investigating the efficacy and safety of Chamomilla, Ipecacuanha, Podophyllum or Tormentilla preparations in homeopathy and phytomedicine, respectively, were presented. Conclusions: Most CAM-associated therapies for gastroenteritis in childhood comprise dietary recommendations. Studies concerning anthroposophic approaches and medications, respectively, are deficient. The results of this study underline that effort is needed to evaluate anthroposophic therapies in a clinical setting.

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Anthroposophic medicine in paediatric oncology in Germany: Results of a population-based retrospective parental survey

Cited by 17 publications

References 29 publications

Integrative medicine during the intensive phase of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology in Germany: a randomized controlled trial with 5-year follow up

Integrative medicine during the intensive phase of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology in Germany: a randomized controlled trial with 5-year follow up

First Steps in the Development of an Expertise-Based Anthroposophic Complex Intervention for Oncological Treatment in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study

Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: A Systematic Review of Anthroposophic Therapies

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