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Review complementary and integrative interventions for cancer-related cognitive changes
1School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA ; School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, USA.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
|January 1, 2016
Summary
Complementary therapies may help cancer survivors with cognitive issues. More research is needed to confirm benefits for cancer-related cognitive changes and improve quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cancer and its treatment can cause cognitive changes, impacting survivors' quality of life, social interactions, and employment.
- There is an ongoing need for evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage cancer-related cognitive dysfunction.
- Integrative programs increasingly incorporate complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine for symptom management in survivorship care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on complementary and integrative interventions for preventing or treating cancer-related cognitive changes.
- To discuss the rationale for current and future research in this field.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using terms related to complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine, cognition, cognitive function, and cancer.
- Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
Main Results:
- Preliminary findings suggest that certain complementary therapies may offer benefits for cancer survivors experiencing cognitive difficulties.
- The reviewed literature reveals significant gaps, including preliminary study designs, small sample sizes, and a lack of objective cognitive assessments.
Conclusions:
- Some complementary therapies show potential for improving cognitive function in cancer survivors.
- Further rigorous research with robust methodologies is essential to establish the efficacy of these interventions for cancer-related cognitive changes.
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