Effectiveness of Complementary Therapies in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. In Spain, about a quarter of a million cases were diagnosed in 2017, and 81% of the Spanish population has used, at least once, some kind of complementary therapy. Said therapies are increasingly being used by cancer patients. The purpose of the study is to analyse the effectiveness of complementary therapies among cancer patients. A systematic peer review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guide in four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and WOS). The inclusion criteria were Randomised Clinical Trials, published between 2013 and 2018, with a value of 3 or more on the Jadad Scale. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019127593). The study sample amounted to 1845 patients (64.55% women), the most common being breast cancer patients (794), followed by lung cancer patients (341). Fifteen complementary therapies were identified. We found two studies for each of the following: electroacupuncture, phytotherapy, hypnotherapy, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. From the remaining ones, we identified a study on each therapy. The findings reveal some effective complementary therapies: auriculotherapy and acupuncture, laser moxibustion, hypnosis, Ayurveda, electroacupuncture, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, yoga, phytotherapy, music therapy and traditional Chinese medicine. On the other hand, electroacupuncture, laser moxibustion and traditional Chinese medicine presented adverse effects, and kinesiology did not show effectiveness.

Use of CAM among cancer patients

“…Other reasons include the feeling of actively doing something, as a way to strengthen the immune system, a measure to counteract the side effects of cancer treatment symptoms and a way to improve the impact of cancer therapy [ 13 ]. In a systematic review of the actual effectiveness of CAM in cancer patients, it was shown that some therapies can be effective in alleviating certain symptoms, such as cancer-related fatigue and pain, whereas other therapies show no effect compared to a control group [ 14 , 15 ]. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has adopted recommendations for the use of complementary therapies such as meditation, yoga and acupuncture to manage the symptoms and side effects of breast cancer treatment [ 15 ].…”

Complementary and alternative therapies in oncology

“…Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as opposed to evidence-based medicine (EBM), is not grounded on well-designed clinical studies, thus they may not be effective or can even harm patients [1]. These methods are mostly attempted to increase treatment efficacy, alleviate treatment side effects, or improve the the patient's physical and mental condition [2,3]. However, in many instances, patients abandon the main treatment and replace it with alternative methods, which can considerably worsen their prognosis.…”

Effects of guided imagery relaxation in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation patients: a quasi-experimental study

“…The mechanisms through which mind-body approaches function are yet understood. However, a systematic review has shown that the use of guided imagery in cancer patients was effective and beneficial as a complementary therapy, showing no adverse effects related with the therapy, meaning that it is a safe option (12) . Similarly, another systematic review which evaluated the effects of mind-body practices in people with HIV showed that the relaxation techniques had positive results in regard to quality of life and immune system, while promoting the relief of physical and psychological symptoms (13) .…”