The Prevalence and Types of Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies Used by Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

Gwen K Wyatt; Rebecca H Lehto; Jessica Sender

doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2019.06.005

The Prevalence and Types of Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies Used by Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

Semin Oncol Nurs. 2019 Aug;35(4):342-347. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

Authors

Gwen K Wyatt¹, Rebecca H Lehto², Jessica Sender³

Affiliations

¹ College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Electronic address: gwyatt@msu.edu.
² College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
³ Health Libraries, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

PMID: 31230928
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.06.005

Abstract

Objective: To assess rationale for usage and types of complementary and integrative health therapies used as self-care by unpaid cancer caregivers.

Data sources: CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Alt HealthWatch.

Conclusion: Six articles provide updated information on caregiver preferences and desires relative to use of complementary and integrative health therapies. Findings largely focused on patients; whereas perceptions of caregivers were secondary.

Implications for nursing practice: Given shifts in cancer care from clinics to home, clinicians can increase their effectiveness through a better understanding of the caregiving experience, allowing for delivery of supportive, personalized interventions. Such support may include evidence-based complementary and integrative health therapies for caregivers.

Keywords: alternative therapies; complementary and integrative therapies; home-based unpaid cancer caregivers; prevalence; reasons for use; types.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Caregivers / psychology*
Complementary Therapies*
Humans
Neoplasms / nursing*
Self Care