Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Clinical guide to herb-drug interactions in oncology.
Authors: Yeung KS, Gubili J Abstract Cancer patients are increasingly using herbal supplements for relief of symptoms. However, there is a great potential for interactions with concurrent use of herbs and chemotherapy agents. Physicians should be aware of such interactions and encourage patients to discuss supplement use. PMID: 17761130 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology)
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Patients previously treated for lymphoma consume inadequate or excessive amounts of five key nutrients.
This study sought to determine whether adults who had completed initial treatments for B-cell lymphoma from 1 to 3 years earlier were consuming recommended amounts of these key nutrients and their interests in nutritional education. We surveyed 141 patients undergoing follow-up in the Lymphoma/Myeloma Clinic at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center using a validated food frequency questionnaire and supplemental questionnaire regarding nutritional interest. Nutrient intakes were estimated based on national databases of average content in foods and compared with recommended guidelines. One hundred forty-one pa...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Which botanicals or other unconventional anticancer agents should we take to clinical trial?
This article describes five principles pertaining to the question of which CAM agents should be taken to clinical trial: (1) many CAM agents have been proposed as cancer treatments, far more than could possibly be studied in clinical trials; (2) claims by patients or practitioners are generally unhelpful in choosing which CAM agents to test; (3) laboratory studies can help determine which CAM agents to take to trial and with which cointerventions; (4) preliminary laboratory studies are essential to confirm safety before trials can be considered; and (5) the vast majority of anticancer CAM agents will be ineffective; our ai...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Lycium barbarum.
Authors: PMID: 17761133 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology)
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Into the future.
Authors: Cassileth BR PMID: 19087754 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology)
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Introduction to the massage therapy section.
Authors: Myers C PMID: 19087755 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology)
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Impact of massage therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing radiation therapy: randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Campeau MP, Gaboriault R, Drapeau M, Van Nguyen T, Roy I, Fortin B, Marois M, Nguyen-Tân PF Abstract Anxiety is a major issue in the cancer patient population. This randomized phase III trial evaluated the effects of massage therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Patients undergoing radiation therapy were randomly assigned to either 10 massage sessions or control sessions. Anxiety levels were evaluated throughout the course of treatment using both the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The immediate effect of massage therapy on a...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Developing treatment and control conditions in a clinical trial of massage therapy for advanced cancer.
Authors: Smith M, Kutner J, Hemphill L, Yamashita T, Felton S Abstract The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges faced by a research team in developing treatment and control conditions in a study of the efficacy of massage therapy for advanced cancer. Five design considerations were addressed related to developing a massage therapy protocol: (1) dosage, that is, the number, spacing and length of treatments; (2) type of massage therapy; (3) degree to which the protocol for the treatment is standardized; (4) qualifications of the persons providing the treatment; and (5) conditions under which...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Couples and cancer: feasibility of brief instruction in massage and touch therapy to build caregiver efficacy.
This study examined the feasibility of brief instruction in massage and touch therapy for caregivers ("partners") to provide comfort to cancer patients. Fifty partners and 49 patients participated. A longitudinal, within-subjects, repeated measures, control and intervention phases design used self-report instruments to assess feasibility via change in frequency, duration, partner-perceived self-efficacy, and patient-perceived helpfulness over a 90-day follow-up. Exploratory data were collected on psychosocial and quality of life variables. Focus groups provided qualitative data. A structured 6-hour workshop taught basic ma...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Research on therapeutic massage for cancer patients: potential biologic mechanisms.
Authors: Sagar SM, Dryden T, Myers C Abstract There is preliminary evidence that therapeutic massage is a useful modality for the relief of a variety of symptoms and symptom-related distress affecting cancer patients. Mechanistic studies are necessary to delineate underlying biologic and psychological effects of massage and their relationship to outcomes. The current article discusses a model for using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to capture dynamic in vivo responses to biomechanical changes induced in the soft tissues by massage. This model enables study of the communication of soft tissue change...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Training massage therapists to work in oncology.
This article describes "Medical Massage for the Cancer Patient," a certificate course offered to achieve those goals by the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. MTs are taught the clinical, logistic, and legal requirements; the basic details of cancer and cancer treatments; necessary massage adaptations; and what will be required of them as members of a health care team. The core competencies this training program aims to impart, and the program developed to reach them, are outlined here. Specific training by a credible oncology team is required prior to any hands-on work with cancer pati...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Echinacea purpurea.
Authors: PMID: 19087761 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology)
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Survey of cancer researchers regarding complementary and alternative medicine.
Authors: Smith WB, Olaku O, Michie J, White JD Abstract The primary purpose of this survey was to assess the interest and concerns of a group of cancer researchers regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research issues. These issues include cancer researchers' perceptions of the most promising areas of cancer CAM research, their needs for support, the perceived obstacles to carrying out research objectives in the emerging field of cancer CAM research, and their level of interest in research collaboration with CAM practitioners. A cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of cancer rese...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Comparison of two quality of life instruments for cancer patients: the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index and the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30.
Authors: Gupta D, Grutsch JF, Lis CG Abstract Health-related quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients cannot be adequately captured with a single instrument. We compared the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI). We hypothesized that there would be little overlap among their subscales. Baseline QoL data were collected from a consecutive series of 954 cancer patients treated at our center. Data from the two questionnaires were analyzed on a subscale basis using correlation analysis and the...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research

Massage modalities and symptoms reported by cancer patients: narrative review.
Authors: Myers CD, Walton T, Bratsman L, Wilson J, Small B Abstract The results of several studies on the use of massage therapies for cancer patients have been published in the peer-reviewed literature over the past 20 years. The current article provides a summary and critique of published studies in which patient-reported symptom ratings were assessed in relation to massage. Twenty-two studies are discussed. Most studies were on Swedish massage, followed by aromatherapy massage, foot reflexology, and acupressure. Symptoms assessed as outcomes included pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and depression. Study...
Source: Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology - December 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Soc Integr Oncol Source Type: research