Effect of a Complementary/Integrative Medicine Treatment Program on Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Brief Report. Issue 5 (1st June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ben-Arye, Eran; River, Yaron; Keshet, Yael; Lavie, Ofer; Israeli, Pesi; Samuels, Noah
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynecological cancer. Volume 28:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 1045
• Page End: 1049
• Publication Date: 2018-06-01
• Subjects: Integrative medicine -- Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy -- Chemotherapy -- Quality of life -- Gynecological oncology; Generative organs, Female -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99465
• DOI: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000001246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-891X

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of cancer treatment impairing quality of life and function. This study explored the impact of a complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) program on taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN). Materials and Methods: Taxane-treated female patients with breast and gynecological cancer reporting TIPN-related symptoms were referred to an integrative physician, followed by patient-tailored CIM treatments (acupuncture with/without other modalities). Assessment of study outcomes at 6 to 12 weeks was conducted using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing, which documented free-text narratives about patients' experience during the CIM treatment process. Content was analyzed using ATLAS.Ti software. Results: Of the 125 patients treated with taxanes, 69 had been referred for CIM treatment of TIPN-associated symptoms. Multidisciplinary narrative analysis identified 2 groups of CIM-treated patients: those with an apparently moderate improvement in symptoms (n = 35) and those with either only an apparent mild or no improvement at all. For 10 patients, assessment of their response to treatment was unclear. The 2 identified groups had similar demographic, cancer-related, and quality of life–related parameters at baseline. Content analysis of patients with an apparent moderate improvement suggested a short-term (24–48 hours) effect with acupuncture treatment, either alone or combined with manual, mind-body, and anthroposophic music therapies. Symptoms showing improvement included paresthesia and numbness. Conclusions: Acupuncture and other CIM therapies may result in a short-term and transitory reduction in TIPN-related symptoms.