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Parents of children with cancer face bio-psycho-social-spiritual concerns which can significantly reduce quality of life (QoL). We examined the impact of an integrative oncology (IO) intervention on QoL-related concerns among parents of children in a pediatric hematology-oncology department. The study was prospective, controlled, nonrandomized and patient-preferenced. Parents of children recently (≤6 weeks) diagnosed with cancer were assessed using the measure yourself concerns and wellbeing (MYCaW), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Parents in both groups were reassessed after three weeks. An IO consultation was provided, with training in daily relaxation-breathing and manual treatments, and guidance on herbal medicine. Of 68 parents consenting to participate, 37 (54%) underwent the intervention with 31 serving as controls. Multivariate analysis found the IO intervention group to contain more Hebrew-speakers (OR=5.96, 95% CI=1.3-27.3, P =0.022); females (OR=5.23, 95% CI=1.1-24.8, P =0.038); and report pain (OR=1.2, 95% CI=1.0-1.4, P =0.045) and impaired appetite on ESAS (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.01-1.48, P =0.034) when compared to controls. Only the intervention group showed improved baseline-to-3-week scores for physical functioning (P <0.001), cognitive functioning (0=0.018) and fatigue on EORTC (P <0.001); and for ESAS appetite (P <0.001) and anxiety (P =0.02). ESAS sleep increased only in controls (P =0.029). IO interventions in pediatric hematology-oncology addressing QoL-related concerns among parents are feasible, potentially increasing predominantly physical symptoms and functioning. Further research is needed to confirm these "real-world" clinical outcomes, and the role of IO in "Caring for the Caregiver". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, the impact of a multimodal integrative oncology pre‐ and intraoperative intervention on pain and anxiety among patients undergoing gynecological oncology surgery was explored. Methods: Study participants were randomized to three groups: Group A received preoperative touch/relaxation techniques, followed by intraoperative acupuncture; Group B received preoperative touch/relaxation only; and a control group (Group C) received standard care. Pain and anxiety were scored before and after surgery using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCAW) and Quality of Recovery (QOR‐15) questionnaires, using Part B of the QOR to assess pain, anxiety, and other quality‐of‐life parameters. Results: A total of 99 patients participated in the study: 45 in Group A, 25 in Group B, and 29 in Group C. The three groups had similar baseline demographic and surgery‐related characteristics. Postoperative QOR‐Part B scores were significantly higher in the treatment groups (A and B) when compared with controls (p =.005), including for severe pain (p =.011) and anxiety (p =.007). Between‐group improvement for severe pain was observed in Group A compared with controls (p =.011). Within‐group improvement for QOR depression subscales was observed in only the intervention groups (p <0.0001). Compared with Group B, Group A had better improvement of MYCAW‐reported concerns (p =.025). Conclusions: A preoperative touch/relaxation intervention may significantly reduce postoperative anxiety, possibly depression, in patients undergoing gynecological oncology surgery. The addition of intraoperative acupuncture significantly reduced severe pain when compared with controls. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the impact of intraoperative acupuncture on postoperative pain. Plain language summary: Integrative oncology programs are increasingly becoming part of supportive/palliative care, with many working within the Society for Integrative Oncology.This study examined the impact of a multimodal integrative oncology program on pain and anxiety among 99 patients undergoing gynecological oncology surgery. Participants were randomized to three groups: preoperative touch/relaxation treatments, followed by intraoperative acupuncture; preoperative touch/relaxation without acupuncture; and a control group receiving standard care only.The preoperative touch/relaxation intervention significantly reduced perioperative anxiety, with the addition of intraoperative acupuncture significantly reducing severe pain as well, when compared with controls. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. Preoperative touch/relaxation reduces postoperative anxiety in patients undergoing gynecological oncology surgery, whereas intraoperative acupuncture reduces severe pain more significantly than controls. The addition of intraoperative acupuncture to preoperative touch/relaxation improves perioperative patient concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the impact of acupuncture with other complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) modalities on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and quality of life (QoL) in oncology patients.Methods: In this prospective, pragmatic, and patient-preference study, patients with CIPN were treated with acupuncture and CIM therapies (intervention group) or standard care alone (controls) for 6 weeks. Patients in the intervention arm were randomized to twice-weekly acupuncture-only (group A) or acupuncture with additional manual-movement or mind-body CIM therapies (group B). Severity of CIPN was assessed at baseline and at 6 weeks using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Taxane (FACT-Tax) tool. Other QoL-related outcomes were assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC); and the Measure Yourself Concerns and Well-being questionnaire. Von Frey measurements examined perception thresholds.Results: Of 168 participants, 136 underwent the study intervention (group A, 69; group B, 67), with 32 controls. Baseline-to-6-week assessment scores improved significantly in the intervention arm (vs controls) on FACT-Tax (p = .038) and emotional well-being (p = .04) scores; FACT-TAX scores for hand numbness/tingling (p = .007) and discomfort (p < .0001); and EORTC physical functioning (p = .045). Intervention groups A and B showed improved FACT-Tax physical well-being (p < .001), FACT-TAX total score (p < .001), FACT-TAX feet discomfort (p = .003), and EORTC pain (p = .017) scores.Conclusions: Acupuncture, with or without CIM modalities, can relieve CIPN-related symptoms during oncology treatment. This is most pronounced for hand numbness, tingling, pain, discomfort, and for physical functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Integrative oncology care may improve lung cancer patients' quality of life. • High adherence to a 6-week integrative care is associated with improved pain. • Integrative weekly care may improve depression and emotional functioning. Complementary medicine and integrative oncology modalities (IOM) have been included in the clinical practice guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians in the treatments of patients with lung cancer. The present study examined the impact of a patient-tailored IOM treatment program on quality of life (QoL)-related concerns among patients with non-small and small lung cancer undergoing active oncology treatment. This controlled study was pragmatic and prospective assessing the adherence among patients referred by their oncology healthcare provider to an integrative physician consultation, followed by 6 weekly IOM treatments addressing QoL-related concerns. High adherence to integrative care (high-AIC, vs. low-AIC) was defined as attending ≥4 IOM sessions. Symptoms were assessed using the ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale), EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), and MYCAW (Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing) tools, at baseline and 6 weeks. Of 153 patients, 74 (48 %) were high-AIC, with baseline demographic, cancer-and QoL-related characteristics similar to those of low-AIC patients. At 6 weeks, high-AIC patients reported greater improvement on MYCAW well-being (p = 0.036), with within-group improvement observed for EORTC pain (p = 0.021) and emotional functioning (p = 0.041); and for ESAS depression (p = 0.005), with borderline significance for EORTC sleep (p = 0.06). High adherence to a 6-week IOM program within supportive/palliative care for patients with lung cancer was found to alleviate pain and emotional concerns, improving overall QoL. Further research is needed to confirm the findings in real-life IOM practice for patients with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]