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Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric oncology
Janice Post-White1, Ria G Hawks
1School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. postw001@umn.edu
Seminars in Oncology Nursing
|July 5, 2005
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common for pediatric cancer patients. Mind-body and touch therapies show promise for reducing stress, but more research is needed for supplements and herbs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly utilized as adjunctive therapy for pediatric cancer patients.
- A growing body of research explores the efficacy and application of various CAM modalities in pediatric oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current research on CAM therapies for children with cancer.
- To identify challenges and future directions in measuring the outcomes of CAM interventions in this population.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of scientific and research articles.
- Inclusion of data from active research studies identified via internet searches.
Main Results:
- Mind-body and touch therapies demonstrate the most robust evidence for alleviating psychological and physical distress in pediatric cancer patients.
- Supplements and herbal therapies garner significant interest, yet require further investigation to establish their efficacy in improving symptom management and overall outcomes.
- Existing evidence supports the use of mind-body and touch therapies by healthcare professionals to mitigate anxiety and symptoms in children undergoing cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- CAM therapies are frequently integrated into pediatric cancer care, offering potential benefits for symptom management.
- Mind-body and touch therapies are supported by evidence for reducing stress and anxiety in children with cancer.
- Further rigorous research is essential to validate the effectiveness and safety of supplements and herbal therapies, and to establish clear outcome measures for CAM interventions in pediatric oncology.