Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment
Publication Date: August 9, 2018
Last Updated: December 4, 2023
Key Recommendations
Acute radiation skin reaction
Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid cream should not be recommended for improving acute radiation skin reaction. (D)
322480
Anxiety/stress reduction
Meditation is recommended for reducing anxiety. (A)
322480
Music therapy is recommended for reducing anxiety. (B)
322480
Stress management is recommended for reducing anxiety during treatment, but longer group programs are likely better than self-administered home programs or shorter programs. (B)
322480
Yoga is recommended for reducing anxiety. (B)
322480
Acupuncture, massage, and relaxation can be considered for reducing anxiety. (C)
322480
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Acupressure can be considered as an addition to antiemetic drugs to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (B)
322480
Electroacupuncture can be considered as an addition to antiemetic drugs to control vomiting during chemotherapy. (B)
322480
Ginger and relaxation can be considered as additions to antiemetic drugs to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (C)
322480
Glutamine should not be recommended for improving nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (D)
322480
Depression/mood disturbance
Meditation, particularly mindfulness-based stress reduction, is recommended for treating mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (A)
322480
Relaxation is recommended for improving mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (A)
322480
Yoga is recommended for improving mood and depressive symptoms. (B)
322480
Massage is recommended for improving mood disturbance. (B)
322480
Music therapy is recommended for improving mood. (B)
322480
Acupuncture, healing touch, and stress management can be considered for improving mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (C)
322480
Fatigue
Hypnosis and ginseng can be considered for improving fatigue during treatment. (C)
322480
Acupuncture and yoga can be considered for improving posttreatment fatigue. (C)
322480
Acetyl-l-carnitine and guarana should not be recommended for improving fatigue during treatment. (D)
322480
Lymphedema
Low-level laser therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and compression bandaging can be considered for improving lymphedema. (C)
322480
Neuropathy
Acetyl-l-carnitine is not recommended for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer, due to potential harm. (D)
322480
Pain
Acupuncture, healing touch, hypnosis, and music therapy can be considered for the management of pain. (C)
322480
Quality of life
Meditation is recommended for improving quality of life. (A)
322480
Yoga is recommended for improving quality of life. (B)
322480
Acupuncture, mistletoe, qigong, reflexology, and stress management can be considered for improving quality of life. (C)
322480
Sleep disturbance
Gentle yoga can be considered for improving sleep. (C)
322480
Vasomotor/hot flashes
Acupuncture can be considered for improving hot flashes. (C)
322480
Soy is not recommended for hot flashes in patients with breast cancer, due to lack of effect. (D)
322480
Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment
Authoring Organization
Society for Integrative Oncology
Endorsing Organization
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Publication Month/Year
August 9, 2018
Last Updated Month/Year
January 19, 2024
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Target Patient Population
Patients undergoing treatment of breast cancer and those who have survived breast cancer
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Outpatient, Radiology services
Intended Users
Radiology technologist, psychologist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Management, Treatment
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D008209 - Lymphedema
Keywords
breast cancer, Breast Cancer Treatment, Integrative Therapies
Supplemental Methodology Resources
Methodology
Number of Source Documents
422
Literature Search Start Date
December 31, 1989
Literature Search End Date
December 30, 2013