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Integrative and complementary therapies for patients with advanced cancer
1University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Family Medicine, 1100 Delaplaine Ct., Madison, WI 53715, USA. Lucille.Marchand@gmail.com.
Annals of Palliative Medicine
|April 6, 2015
Summary
Integrative medicine and palliative care enhance well-being and quality of life (QOL) for advanced cancer patients. Combining these approaches offers broader symptom management and improved patient outcomes throughout illness progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Integrative medicine and palliative care share goals of optimizing well-being and quality of life (QOL), particularly relevant for advanced cancer patients.
- Both approaches can be initiated early in illness and intensified as the disease progresses, offering a continuum of care.
- Symptom management in cancer care involves addressing disease- and treatment-related symptoms through conventional and integrative therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how integrative and complementary modalities can be incorporated into comprehensive palliative care for advanced cancer patients.
- To highlight the role of nutrition and movement within integrative and palliative care strategies.
- To focus on specific researched modalities like nutrition, movement, music, aromatherapy, massage, supplements, and acupuncture.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on integrative and complementary therapies in palliative care for advanced malignancies.
- Inclusion of modalities such as nutrition, movement, music, aromatherapy, massage, supplements, and acupuncture.
- Consideration of evidence from both cancer survivors and non-cancer populations.
Main Results:
- Integrative medicine combined with palliative care expands options for symptom control and enhances patient well-being and QOL.
- Specific modalities like nutrition, movement, music, aromatherapy, massage, and acupuncture show effectiveness for various palliative care symptoms.
- Patient choice in integrative therapies is influenced by cultural background, beliefs, lifestyle, and external information sources.
Conclusions:
- Integrating complementary therapies into palliative care empowers patients, fostering hope and well-being regardless of prognosis.
- A multimodal approach, combining conventional and integrative strategies, is crucial for holistic cancer care.
- Further research into diverse integrative modalities can broaden their application in palliative oncology.
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