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Current Oncology Reports
Published in: Current Oncology Reports 10/2017

01-10-2017 | Integrative Care (C Lammersfeld, Section Editor)

Mind-Body Therapies in Cancer: What Is the Latest Evidence?

Authors: Linda E. Carlson, Erin Zelinski, Kirsti Toivonen, Michelle Flynn, Maryam Qureshi, Katherine-Ann Piedalue, Rachel Grant

Published in: Current Oncology Reports | Issue 10/2017

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Many people living with cancer use complementary therapies, and some of the most popular are mind-body therapies (MBTs), including relaxation and imagery, hypnosis, yoga, meditation, tai chi and qigong, and art therapies. The efficacy of these modalities was reviewed by assessing recent findings in the context of cancer care.

Recent Findings

These therapies show efficacy in treating common cancer-related side effects, including nausea and vomiting, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depressive symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Some also have effects on biomarkers such as immune function and stress hormones. Overall studies lack large sample sizes and active comparison groups. Common issues around clearly defining treatments including standardizing treatment components, dose, intensity, duration and training of providers make generalization across studies difficult.

Summary

MBTs in cancer care show great promise and evidence of efficacy for treating many common symptoms. Future studies should investigate more diverse cancer populations using standardized treatment protocols and directly compare various MBTs to one another.
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Metadata
Title
Mind-Body Therapies in Cancer: What Is the Latest Evidence?
Authors
Linda E. Carlson
Erin Zelinski
Kirsti Toivonen
Michelle Flynn
Maryam Qureshi
Katherine-Ann Piedalue
Rachel Grant
Publication date
01-10-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Oncology Reports / Issue 10/2017
Print ISSN: 1523-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6269
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-017-0626-1

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