Development of an evidence-based decision aid on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and pain for parents of children with cancer

Abstract

Purpose To develop an evidence-based decision aid for parents of children with cancer and to help guide them in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for cancer care. Methods This study had a mixed research design. The needs of parents were investigated by survey and focus group. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on the effectiveness of CAM using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Clinical experts were interviewed and a decision aid on CAM treatment for pain was developed. Results Parents emphasized the importance of reliable information on CAM, focusing primarily on communication and a broad spectrum of complaints related to cancer treatment. The decision aid on CAM for pain included five modalities based on 11 randomized control trials (RCTs): hypnotherapy, mind-body techniques, massage, healing touch, and music therapy. Metaanalysis could be performed on hypnotherapy, which significantly reduced cancer-related procedural pain compared with standard care (MD, − 1.37; 95% CI, − 1.60, − 1.15; P < 0.00001) and attention control (MD, − 1.13; 95% CI, − 1.34, − 0.94; P < 0.00001), and massage, demonstrating no effect on pain compared with standard care (MD, − 0.77; 95% CI, − 1.82, 0.28; P = 0.15). Research evidence and supplementary information from clinical practice and patient were incorporated in a websitebased decision aid. Conclusions An evidence-based decision aid was developed to support parents of children with cancer in making decisions about CAM for pain management. Next steps will be to expand the website to include additional childhood cancer-related complaints and to evaluate its use in practice.

Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Hospitalized Children and Teenagers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Other nonpharmaceutical interventions such as music therapy (Jong et al, 2020) and acupressure (Psihogios et al, 2019) have also gradually shown increasing use with few side effects. Animal-assisted intervention (AAI), also called pet therapy, acts as a psychosocial and adjunctive treatment for symptom control (Levinson, 1965).…”

Evaluation of an Integrative Care Program in Pediatric Oncology

“…12,13 Whereas integrative medicine and care are slowly finding their way into the German hospital landscape, 3 university hospitals still have an ambivalent attitude toward T&CM. 14,15 There is growing research on supportive T&CM interventions for specific symptoms in pediatric oncology such as fatigue, psychological stress, and pain, [16][17][18] and also few descriptions of implementation projects in pediatric settings. 19,20 To date, however, limited research on the implementation, applicability, and evaluation of integrative care in the highly specialized field of children's oncology is available in Germany.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine modalities used to treat adverse effects of anti-cancer treatment among children and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Two of the studies related to hypnosis were included in the meta-analysis and the overall effect on nausea and pain was insignificant. However, previous research [ 57 ] reported that hypnotherapy significantly reduced cancer-related procedural pain combined with standard care ( p < 0.00001). Despite insignificant effect, it should be noted that the current meta-analysis was conducted with only two studies.…”