Purpose of review: This review aims to assess recent data on possible effective and safe complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) modalities that can be of help to patients affected by cancer that suffer from cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
Recent findings: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common, persistent, and challenging symptoms among cancer patients and survivors. Many world-leading cancer centers incorporate CIM into routine cancer care including integrating multiple approaches to address CRF. Approaches that are supported by clinical evidence on the use of CIM during and following conventional oncology treatments are being discussed in this review. The review suggests that some CIM modalities might have a potential role in alleviating cancer-related fatigue. These modalities include acupuncture, touch therapies, nutrition, nutritional supplements, stress reduction, homeopathy, and circadian rhythm management. Additional research is still needed to better support the process of integrating CIM into a routine approach to cancer-related fatigue.
Keywords: Acupuncture; Cancer care; Cancer-related fatigue; Complementary medicine; Dietary supplements; Herbal medicines; Integrative medicine; Mind–body medicine; Nutrition; Nutritional supplements; Physical activity; Touch therapies; Unmet needs.
© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.