Improving Breast Surgery Outcomes Through Alternative Therapy: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Integrative Oncology
• Surgical Recovery
• Complementary Therapies

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are standard for breast cancer surgery.
• ERAS protocols involve complex medication regimens, posing challenges for patient compliance.
• ERAS protocols do not adequately address the significant psychological burden experienced by patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of alternative therapies in improving post-operative recovery for breast cancer patients.
• To assess the impact of complementary medicine on both emotional and physical recovery stages.
• To identify benefits of integrating alternative therapies alongside standard surgical care.

Main Methods:

• A PubMed search was conducted using terms for alternative therapies, surgery, and pain.
• Included studies were published or translated in English, focusing on breast procedures.
• Eighteen articles met inclusion criteria, covering music, meditation, yoga, massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and hypnosis.

Main Results:

• Most alternative therapies showed benefits for patients undergoing breast procedures.
• Improvements were noted in post-operative pain, fatigue, energy levels, stress, anxiety, mood, and depression.
• Alternative therapies offer non-invasive, low-risk complementary options for enhancing recovery.

Conclusions:

• Integrating alternative medicine into standardized care can significantly improve post-operative outcomes.
• Complementary therapies address both physical and emotional aspects of recovery often missed by ERAS protocols.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to quantify benefits and establish optimal integration strategies.