[Complementary therapies in palliative cancer care]
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: cancer pain, explained
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown in popularity both among the general population and among the cancer patients. Cancer patients often use CAM, which is a treatment that is not commonly used in the conventional setting. However, the prevalence of CAM use appears to vary substantially, with reported frequency of use of at least one CAM therapy ranging from 20% to 83.3%. Complementary medicine has become an important aspect of palliative cancer care. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, reflexology, relaxation techniques, and spiritual healing are frequently used forms of treatment. The purpose of this article is to provide information about some complementary therapies that are commonly used by cancer patients in the palliative care.
Key Findings: what this observational study found about cancer pain
- ✓Cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at rates ranging from 20% to 83.3%, indicating substantial variability in adoption across different populations.
- ✓Complementary medicine has become an important aspect of palliative cancer care, with acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, reflexology, relaxation techniques, and spiritual healing being frequently used forms of treatment.
- ✓The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine has grown significantly among both the general population and cancer patients seeking treatments outside conventional medical settings.
What This Means for You
Reflexology is recognized as one of several complementary approaches used in cancer palliative care, but this review does not provide strong evidence of its specific effectiveness for cancer patients.
What This Means for Practitioners
This review acknowledges reflexology as an established complementary therapy in palliative cancer care settings, suggesting potential value in integrating reflexology within a broader supportive care approach for cancer patients.
Cancer pain: common questions
What does this study say about cancer pain?
Reflexology is recognized as one of several complementary approaches used in cancer palliative care, but this review does not provide strong evidence of its specific effectiveness for cancer patients.
What did this study find?
Cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at rates ranging from 20% to 83.3%, indicating substantial variability in adoption across different populations. Complementary medicine has become an important aspect of palliative cancer care, with acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, reflexology, relaxation techniques, and spiritual healing being frequently used forms of treatment. The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine has grown significantly among both the general population and cancer patients seeking treatments outside conventional medical settings.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in Agri : Agri (Algoloji) Dernegi'nin Yayin organidir = The journal of the Turkish Society of Algology. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
Related Research
Complementary therapy in practice
Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications
Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
Mind-Body Interventions for People With Cancer: Evidence, Innovation, and Implementation
Therapeutic Massage for Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review
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