A systematic review association of reflexology in managing symptoms and side effects of breast cancer treatment

Wanchai, Ausanee; Armer, Jane M.

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101074

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Our study indicates that the use of re exology for reducing the symptom burden of patients during chemotherapy may provide bene t. This is consistent with other studies, however, evidence limitations include small sample size and quasi-experimental designs [20].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Re exology is a non-invasive, localised touch therapy that is an easily administered therapeutic treatment well suited to the setting of a chemotherapy day unit. Studies have shown bene t for anxiety, sleep, pain and quality of life [15,20,21]. Together, acupuncture and re exology may also assist in managing chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acupuncture and reflexology for patients undergoing chemotherapy: an observational study

Grant

Spiegel

BRAND

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Purpose Around three quarters of individuals undergoing chemotherapy self-report multiple symptoms. There is clinical trial evidence of effectiveness for acupuncture for commonly experienced symptoms, and emerging evidence for reflexology, but little is known about the effects of these therapies on multiple symptoms when implemented in a real world setting during active chemotherapy treatment. Methods This was a single-arm observational study of participants receiving reflexology and/or acupuncture while attending chemotherapy. Participants received a 20 minute reflexology treatment or a 20 minute acupuncture treatment or a combination of both. Patient reported outcome measures were administered before and after the treatment using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Results During the study period, 330 unique participants with cancer received acupuncture and/or reflexology treatments. Participants had, on average, 5.3 symptoms each which they reported as moderate to severe (≥4/10) using the ESAS at baseline. Following treatment, participants reported 3.2 symptoms as moderate to severe. The symptom change for all participant encounters receiving any therapy was statistically significant for all symptoms, and clinically significant (a reduction of more than 1) for all symptoms except financial distress, appetite and memory. Clinically significant levels of global distress (<3) were reduced in 72% of all participants receiving either therapy. No adverse events were recorded. Conclusions The results indicate that acupuncture and reflexology administered alongside chemotherapy may reduce patient reported symptom burden and patient global symptom related distress. Future research would include an active control group, and consider confounding factors such as chemotherapy stage and medication.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture and reflexology for patients undergoing chemotherapy: an observational study

Grant

Spiegel

BRAND

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Regarding BCRL, reflexology has not enough high-level evidence supporting beneficial or detrimental effects on BCRL, despite no adverse effects reported after reflexology intervention. Reflexology seems to improve quality of life acting on fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, but no substantial evidence is available as regards effects on BCRL because of limited numbers and quality of studies (90).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Review of the State of the Art

et al. 2021

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Background/Aim: Upper limb breast cancerrelated lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic and severe condition affecting a significant percentage of breast cancer survivors. Even though its physiopathology is well-known, there is no worldwide consensus on BCRL evaluation and a goldstandard treatment. This narrative review aims at providing a brief descriptive overview with regard to BCRL treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search within the PubMed database, and 33 articles out of 56 were selected, including reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses aiming find the most updated evidence regarding BCRL treatment modalities. Results: Physical exercise (aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aquatic therapy), bandages, and intermittent pneumatic compression were shown to be most effective in BCRL patients, in terms of swelling reduction in the acute-intensive phase. Furthermore, physical exercise was beneficial also as a maintenance tool. Manual lymphatic drainage demonstrated efficacy in preventing secondary lymphedema if applied immediately after breast cancer surgery or in early phases of BCRL or as a maintenance tool. Complementary procedures such as acupuncture, reflexology, yoga and photo-biomodulation therapy did not show conclusive results in BCRL treatment. Surgery was shown effective in managing symptoms (liposuction), preventing (lymphaticovenular anastomosis) and treating BCRL (vascularized lymph node transfer). Conclusion: BCRL is still a challenging condition either for breast cancer survivors and clinicians, deeply impacting patient functioning and quality of life. Due to the lack of globally accepted criteria in evaluating BCRL, to date a gold standard treatment for this widespread issue is still needed.Improved survival rates in breast cancer patients contribute to an increased number of survivors complaining of upper limb Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL), which is a secondary lymphedema after surgery and radiation therapy (1). BCRL is a common complication occurring after lymph node dissection for breast or upper limb tumors (e.g., melanoma), and it is generally caused by an excessive accumulation of protein-rich fluid (lymph) in tissue extracellular spaces that causes transient or persistent soft tissue swelling (2). Up to 30% (3-5) of breast cancer survivors, may suffer from BCRL and its physical and psychological consequences such as: pain, pitting edema, upper limb heaviness and discomfort, decreased range of motion of the affected joints, recurrent skin infections and ulcers, elephantiasis, cutaneous angiosarcoma, depression, anxiety, body image-related disorder. Quality of life (QoL) is dramatically worsened by BCRL.

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“…Breast cancer has ranked as the second most common and the fifth most lethal malignancy in the world, with ~1.7 million women diagnosed with this disease in 2012 (1,2). The heterogeneity of breast tumors and their distinct prognosis require systemic therapeutic strategies and targeted treatment for different patients (3), making breast cancer one of the most challenging solid tumors to treat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formosanin C promotes the curative efficacy of ultrasound‑guided radiofrequency ablation in a mouse model of breast cancer

Chen

Cui

et al. 2021

Oncol Lett

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Breast cancer is the leading cause of tumor-associated death among women worldwide, and new therapeutic strategies are required to improve the post-surgery prognosis and quality of life of patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a less invasive approach compared with traditional surgical resection to treat malignancies, and the combination of RFA and chemotherapeutic agents, including formosanin C (FC), can synergistically improve the curative effects against breast carcinoma. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, nude mice were used to identify the influence of FC on the therapeutic efficacy of RFA for breast cancer. Flow cytometry was performed to demonstrate the proportional alteration of CD8 + and CD45 + T cells with different biomarkers, including CD107a, IFNγ and TNFα. It was demonstrated that FC enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of RFA in breast cancer, while RFA combined with FC improved the proportion of IFNγ + and TNFα + CD8 + T cells and CD107a + CD8 + T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, thus increasing the immune responses caused by surgery and chemotherapy. The present study indicated that FC may promote the curative efficacy of ultrasound-guided RFA against breast tumor by regulating adaptive immune responses.

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A systematic review association of reflexology in managing symptoms and side effects of breast cancer treatment

Cited by 22 publications

References 18 publications

Acupuncture and reflexology for patients undergoing chemotherapy: an observational study

Acupuncture and reflexology for patients undergoing chemotherapy: an observational study

Integrated Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Review of the State of the Art

Formosanin C promotes the curative efficacy of ultrasound‑guided radiofrequency ablation in a mouse model of breast cancer

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