Effect of complementary and alternative medicine interventions on cancer related pain among breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Razieh Behzadmehr; Neda Dastyar; Mahdieh Poodineh Moghadam; Mahnaz Abavisani; Mandana Moradi

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102318

Effect of complementary and alternative medicine interventions on cancer related pain among breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Complement Ther Med. 2020 Mar:49:102318. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102318. Epub 2020 Jan 17.

Authors

Razieh Behzadmehr¹, Neda Dastyar², Mahdieh Poodineh Moghadam³, Mahnaz Abavisani⁴, Mandana Moradi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
² Department of Midwifery, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
³ Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
⁴ MSc of Medical Surgical Nursing, Department of Nursing, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
⁵ Clinical Pharmacy Department, School of Pharmacy, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran. Electronic address: mmandana310@gmail.com.

PMID: 32147038
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102318

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CAM interventions for cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were searched from January 1, 2000, up to April 31, 2019, using the keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine therapies and cancer related pain. Standard tools were used to evaluate the quality of the studies included.

Results: Of the 3742 articles found, 46 articles comprising 3685 participants entered the final phase. Our results indicate that interventions including acupuncture/acupressure, tai chi/qi gong, hypnosis, meditation, music therapy, yoga, massage, reflexology, and Reiki improve cancer-related pain in breast cancer patients. However, aromatherapy had no effect on the same.

Conclusions: Despite the positive effect of various CAM interventions in reducing cancer-related pain, necessary precautions should be adopted to use them alongside other treatments to control cancer pain in the clinical setting.

Keywords: Breast neoplasm; Cancer related pain; Complementary and alternative medicine; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms / complications*
Cancer Pain / etiology*
Cancer Pain / therapy*
Complementary Therapies / methods*
Female
Humans