Does a homeopathic medicine reduce hot flushes induced by adjuvant endocrine therapy in localized breast cancer patients? A multicenter randomized placebo-controlled phase III trial

Heudel, Pierre; Praagh-Doreau, I. Van; Duvert, Bernard; Cauvin, Isabelle; Hardy‐Bessard, Anne‐Claire; Jacquin, Jean‐Philippe; Stefani, Laëtitia; Vincent, L.; Dramais, Dominique; Guastalla, Jean‐Paul; Blanc, Ellen; Belleville, Aurelie; Lavergne, Emilie; Pérol, David

doi:10.1007/s00520-018-4449-x

Cited by 18 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…While earlier studies showed that pharmacological interventions using clonidine could lead to significant reduction in hot flashes score, frequency and intensity [28,29], other studies reported non-significant differences (p ≥ 0.54) in the changes of these parameters between the intervention and control group at pre-and post-intervention [25][26][27]. Notably, both the intervention and control participants reported a decrease in these parameters from baseline to post-intervention [25,26], which demonstrates why non-significant differences were observed. Interestingly, in a cross-over study on a pharmacological intervention using the anti-depressant sertraline, significant between-group differences were observed in hot flashes frequency and hot flashes score after cross-over at Week 12 of the intervention, despite the lack of such difference before the cross-over at Week 6 [27].…”

Section: Hot Flashesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Five studies reported the effect of pharmacological interventions on addressing hot flashes among the participants [25][26][27][28][29]. While earlier studies showed that pharmacological interventions using clonidine could lead to significant reduction in hot flashes score, frequency and intensity [28,29], other studies reported non-significant differences (p ≥ 0.54) in the changes of these parameters between the intervention and control group at pre-and post-intervention [25][26][27]. Notably, both the intervention and control participants reported a decrease in these parameters from baseline to post-intervention [25,26], which demonstrates why non-significant differences were observed.…”

Section: Hot Flashesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heudel et al, 2019 [26] Pharmacological intervention with the antidepressant sertraline Before cross-over at 6 weeks after start of intervention (T1)…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Systematic Review

Chan

Tai

Kwong

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Breast cancer survivors need to undergo adjuvant endocrine therapy after completion of curative treatments to prevent disease recurrence. These individuals often experience symptoms which are detrimental to their quality of life (QOL). Implementation of interventions for effective symptom management among these survivors is warranted. This review provides an overview of studies on the effectiveness of the previously developed interventions for breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy on symptom alleviation and enhancement of QOL or health-related QOL (HRQOL). Five electronic databases were employed in the literature search. Study selection, data extraction and critical appraisal of the included studies were conducted by three authors independently. Twenty-four studies were included. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are effective in addressing the symptoms associated with adjuvant endocrine therapy among the breast cancer survivors, and in improving their QOL, although discrepancies were noted between the studies in terms of the significance of these effects. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can be effective for symptom management among breast cancer survivors. Their implementation is recommended for effective survivorship care for these individuals. Further research on intervention development for breast cancer survivors is recommended to provide further evidence for the utility of the explored interventions in survivorship care for these patients.

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Section: Hot Flashesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Hot Flashesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Systematic Review

Chan

Tai

Kwong

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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show abstract

“…For example, homeopathy was tested to reduce hot flushes induced by endocrine therapy in 299 breast cancer patients. It had no impact on hot flushes or the quality of life [19]. A randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of X-ray 15CH versus placebo in order to limit the radio-induced dermatitis reaction was also negative [25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The highest satisfaction rates were reported with healing touch (median satisfaction: 81%), Chinese medicines (median satisfaction: 79.5%), hypnosis (median satisfaction: 79%), and osteopathy (median satisfaction: 79%). However, so far, few prospective randomized controlled trials have tested the efficacy of CAMs [19]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines among Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Study

et al. 2019

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Purpose: It is usual for cancer patients to use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and yet the literature evaluating their efficacy in cancer patients is very limited. The objective of the present study was to report on the nature, frequency of use, and patient-reported outcome of CAMs in a single-center study. Methods: All the consecutive patients treated between November 2017 and June 2018 at the Lucien Neuwirth Cancer Institute (France) were screened. Their reasons for using CAMs and their usage habits were collected. Patients evaluated their benefit. Results: Of the 209 patients screened, 200 patients were included. CAMs ranged from osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, healing touch, magnetism, naturopathy, suction cups, Chinese medicine, reflexology, to hypnosis. CAMs were widely used (n = 166, 83%), the first being osteopathy (n = 99, 49.5%), the second homeopathy (n = 78, 39.0%), and finally acupuncture (n = 76, 38.0%). Whatever the CAM, high satisfaction rates were reported (median satisfaction: 61–81%). CAMs were mainly used to prevent/treat side effects of anticancer treatments (81.2% for healing touch), increase well-being (55.4% for naturopathy), improve the immune system (16.9% for homeopathy), and treat cancer (n = 3, 5.1% for homeopathy). Patients could easily consider using CAMs, as up to 50.8% would have accepted a consultation. Conclusions: The reasons for using CAMs differed among patients. They praised CAMs and kept asking for more information although there is limited evidence about their efficacy in the literature. Thus, prospective randomized controlled trials exploring the safety and efficacy of CAMs in cancer patients are needed.

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Homeopathy effects in patients during oncological treatment: a systematic review

Wagenknecht

Dörfler

Freuding

et al. 2022

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

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Purpose In this systematic review we included clinical studies from 1800 until 2020 to evaluate evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy on physical and mental conditions in patients during oncological treatment. Method In February 2021 a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Medline) to find studies concerning use, effectiveness and potential harm of homeopathy in cancer patients. Results From all 1352 search results, 18 studies with 2016 patients were included in this SR. The patients treated with homeopathy were mainly diagnosed with breast cancer. The therapy concepts include single and combination homeopathic remedies (used systemically or as mouth rinses) of various dilutions. Outcomes assessed were the influence on toxicity of cancer treatment (mostly hot flashes and menopausal symptoms), time to drain removal in breast cancer patients after mastectomy, survival, quality of life, global health and subjective well-being, anxiety and depression as well as safety and tolerance. The included studies reported heterogeneous results: some studies described significant differences in quality of life or toxicity of cancer treatment favouring homeopathy, whereas others did not find an effect or reported significant differences to the disadvantage of homeopathy or side effects caused by homeopathy. The majority of the studies have a low methodological quality. Conclusions For homeopathy, there is neither a scientifically based hypothesis of its mode of action nor conclusive evidence from clinical studies in cancer care.

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Does a homeopathic medicine reduce hot flushes induced by adjuvant endocrine therapy in localized breast cancer patients? A multicenter randomized placebo-controlled phase III trial

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

The Effects of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Systematic Review

The Effects of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Systematic Review

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines among Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Study

Homeopathy effects in patients during oncological treatment: a systematic review

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