Complementary therapies can improve quality of life in women with breast cancer, according to a research article published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine.
The article presents evidence on complementary therapies as a ‘stress reduction strategy’ and also examines their effects on immune response in women with breast cancer. Recognising the significant contribution of complementary therapies in oncology, the article says that complementary therapies significantly improve outcomes for breast cancer patients, particularly with stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
Therapies mentioned in the article include massage, mindfulness and qigong.
Its authors call for further research on therapies to help medical professionals make informed decisions on therapies, to achieve meaningful clinical results.