Impact of complementary and alternative medicine offerings on cancer patients’ emotional health and ability to self-manage health conditions

• Published in: Complementary therapies in medicine 2019-04, Vol.43, p.102-108
• Main Authors: Fitzsimmons, Alexandra G., Dahlke, Deborah Vollmer, Bergeron, Caroline D., Smith, Kasey N., Patel, Aakash, Ory, Marcia G., Smith, Matthew Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Alternative medicine; Cancer; Cancer centers; Complementary and alternative medicine; Emotional health; Emotions; Health; Medical research; Meditation; Mental health; Pain; Patients; Reiki; Self-management; Support services; Well being; Yoga
• ISSN: 0965-2299; 1873-6963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.011

•Cancer patients utilized an average of 3.2 center offerings, which included activities, resources, and services.•Participants who utilized more center offerings improved their understanding of health needs and emotional health.•Participants with more barriers to access center offerings reported that utilizing offerings improved their self-management.•Complementary and alternative medicine therapies should be integrated in standard cancer care to complement cancer treatment. This descriptive study investigated how cancer patient characteristics and utilization of CAM resources, services, and activities at a regional cancer center were associated with patients’ understanding of their health needs, emotional health, and their ability to self-manage their condition. Cross-sectional questionnaire. Sixty-one patients completed a mailed 17-item paper and pencil survey about their sociodemographics, use of CAM offerings, barriers, and perceived benefits. Mail-based survey completed by cancer patients in a southern state. As a result of participating in the center’s cancer support services, patients indicated if: (1) they had a better understanding of their health needs; (2) their emotional health has improved; and (3) they take better care of themselves when they are at home and in the community. Participants reported using 0.93 (±1.20) CAM activities (e.g., yoga), 0.62 (±0.71) resources (e.g., the library), and 1.62 (±1.34) services (e.g., monthly support groups), although also reported experiencing 0.74 (±0.81) barriers (e.g., transportation) to accessing these offerings. Perceived benefits were interrelated, where those perceiving CAM offerings to improve their understanding of their health needs also perceived improved emotional health (χ2 = 27.93, P