Integrative Oncology Care of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Adult Patients with Cancer

Publication Date: August 15, 2023
Last Updated: August 15, 2023

Treatment

Anxiety

Active Treatment

Recommendation 1.1
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) should be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 1.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with cancer types other than breast, the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 1.3
Hypnosis may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during cancer-related diagnostic and treatment procedures. ( EB , B , I , M )
615
Recommendation 1.4
Relaxation therapies may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
615
Recommendation 1.5
Music therapy or music-based interventions may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , M )
615
Recommendation 1.6
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Recommendation 1.7
Lavender essential oil inhalation may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during cancer-related diagnostic and treatment procedures. ( EB , B , L , W )
615

Post-Treatment

Recommendation 2.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 2.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with cancers types other than breast the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 2.3
Acupuncture may be offered to women with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 2.4
Tai chi and/or qigong may be offered to women with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 2.5
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Inconclusive
There is inconclusive evidence to make recommendations for or against music therapy, and music-based interventions to improve anxiety symptoms in people with cancer who are post treatment. There is also inconclusive evidence for nutritional interventions, light therapy, psilocybin, massage, dance/movement therapy, laughter therapy, healing touch, expressive writing, acupressure, biofeedback, autogenic training, energy healing, melatonin, or other natural products and supplements to improve anxiety symptoms in people with cancer, regardless of when in the course of care the intervention is provided.

Depression

Active Treatment

Recommendation 3.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 3.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with other cancers the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 3.3
Music therapy or music-based interventions may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , M )
615
Recommendation 3.4
Relaxation therapies may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Recommendation 3.5
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615

Post-Treatment

Recommendation 4.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 4.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with other cancers the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 4.3
Tai chi-qigong may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 4.4
Expressive writing should not be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms at any point in the course of care. ( EB , B/H , I , M )
615
Inconclusive
There is inconclusive evidence to make recommendations for or against reflexology to improve depression symptoms in people with cancer who are post treatment. There is also inconclusive evidence for nutritional interventions, light therapy, massage therapy, biofeedback, autogenic training, energy healing, melatonin, and other natural products and supplements to improve depression symptoms in people with cancer, regardless of when in the course of care these therapies are provided.

Recommendation Grading

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Overview

Title

Integrative Oncology Care of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Adult Patients with Cancer

Authoring Organizations

Publication Month/Year

August 15, 2023

Last Updated Month/Year

February 7, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
255
Literature Search Start Date
November 1, 1990
Literature Search End Date
January 1, 2023