The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies by Patients with Advanced Cancer and Pain in a Hospice Setting: A Multi-centered, Descriptive Study

Source:

Journal of Palliative Medicine

Synopsis:

Author Manuscript:  Our group recently completed the largest randomized controlled trial to date of massage therapy, the Reducing End-of-life Symptoms with Touch (REST) study. We investigated the use of massage therapy versus simple touch to reduce pain in patients with advanced cancer. (1) As part of this study, we also collected data about the use of Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) by this patient population. The 2002 National Health Survey of over 31,000 US adults found 40% of patients with a current or former cancer diagnosis affirmed CAM use within the last year. (2) However, little data exist about the use of CAM in the palliative care population, though cancer and pain are two of the most commonly cited reasons for CAM use and 60% of US hospices offer CAM therapies…

*  See below for PDF of full manuscript

Vol/Page/Date:

J Palliat Med. 2009 January; 12(1): 7–8.

Resource Type:

Journal Article

Author/Source:

Jean S. Kutner and Lisa Corbin