Integrative Approaches for Sleep Health in Cancer Survivors.

Authors: Sheila N Garland, Kaitlyn Mahon, Michael R IrwinJournal: Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.)Published: August 3, 2020DOI: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000398

Preliminary EvidenceSystematic Review

Insomnia Cancer Pain Management

In Plain Language: sleep, explained

This paper reviews different complementary approaches—including reflexology and other integrative therapies—that may help cancer survivors improve their sleep quality. The authors examined existing research to understand which approaches show promise for addressing sleep problems common after cancer treatment.

Key Findings: what this systematic review found about sleep

✓Reflexology is among several complementary approaches that show promise for improving sleep quality in cancer survivors.
✓Sleep problems are a common issue affecting cancer survivors following treatment completion.
✓Integrative therapies represent potential options for addressing treatment-related sleep disturbances when conventional approaches may be insufficient.

What This Means for You

While reflexology is mentioned as a potential complementary approach for sleep in cancer survivors, the current evidence is still developing and you should discuss it with your oncology team as part of a broader sleep management plan.

What This Means for Practitioners

Position reflexology within an integrative framework for cancer survivor wellness, but be prepared to discuss the preliminary nature of current evidence and encourage clients to coordinate care with their medical team.

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Sleep: common questions

What does this study say about sleep?

What did this study find?

Reflexology is among several complementary approaches that show promise for improving sleep quality in cancer survivors. Sleep problems are a common issue affecting cancer survivors following treatment completion. Integrative therapies represent potential options for addressing treatment-related sleep disturbances when conventional approaches may be insufficient.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence preliminary. It was published in Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.). This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.