Feasibility of Homeopathic Treatment for Symptom Reduction in an Integrative Oncology Service

Noah Samuels, Yakov Freed, Rony Weitzen, Merav Ben-David, Yair Maimon, Uri Eliyahu, Raanan Berger, Noah Samuels, Yakov Freed, Rony Weitzen, Merav Ben-David, Yair Maimon, Uri Eliyahu, Raanan Berger

Abstract

Background: Homeopathy has the potential to reduce symptoms related to cancer treatment. The present study examined the feasibility of a homeopathic consultation and treatment program, provided as part of an integrative oncology service.

Methods: The electronic medical files of patients undergoing a homeopathic consultation in an integrative oncology service clinic were examined retrospectively. Adherence to the homeopathic treatment regimen and perceived response to the treatment were evaluated.

Results: The files of 124 patient (34 males, 90 females) were examined, of which two-thirds reported acquiring and self-administering the homeopathic remedy as prescribed, and nearly three-quarters reporting a beneficial effect. Adherence to the homeopathic treatment regimen was greatest among patients attending a second visit, as opposed to having only telephone/e-mail follow-up ( P < .005). An association was found between a perceived beneficial effect of treatment with attending a follow-up visit ( P = .04), female gender ( P = .02), younger age ( P = .048), diagnosis of breast cancer ( P = .014), and current radiation treatment (vs chemotherapy; P = .003). Patients reporting chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were also more likely to report a beneficial effect ( P = .004), as were female patients reporting hot flashes ( P = .005) and those referred by an oncologist ( P = .046). No adverse effects were attributed to the homeopathic treatment.

Conclusions: Homeopathy can be successfully incorporated within a supportive care integrative oncology service. In addition to demographic and cancer-related characteristics, as well as symptoms, patients attending a second visit (vs only telephone/e-mail follow-up) were more likely to adhere to and perceive a beneficial effect from the homeopathic regimen.

Keywords: adherence; feasibility; homeopathy; integrative oncology; quality of life.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

References

    1. Temel JS, Greer JA, Muzikansky A, et al. Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:733-742.
    1. Roberts CS, Baker F, Hann D, et al. Patient-physician communication regarding use of complementary therapies during cancer treatment. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2005;23:35-60.
    1. Vapiwala N, Mick R, Hampshire MK, Metz JM, DeNittis AS. Patient initiation of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) following cancer diagnosis. Cancer J. 2006;12:467-474.
    1. Yates JS, Mustian KM, Morrow GR, et al. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer patients during treatment. Support Care Cancer. 2005;13:806-811.
    1. Frenkel M, Cohen L, Peterson N, Palmer JL, Swint K, Bruera E. Integrative medicine consultation service in a comprehensive cancer center: findings and outcomes. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010;9:276-283.
    1. Deng G. Integrative cancer care in a US academic cancer centre: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering experience. Curr Oncol. 2008;15(suppl 2):s108.es68-es71.
    1. Frenkel M. Is there a role for homeopathy in cancer care? Questions and challenges. Curr Oncol Rep. 2015:17:43.
    1. Hahnemann S, Boericke W. Organon of Medicine [Translated by Boericke William.]. 6th ed. New Delhi, India: B Jain; 1991.
    1. Jütte R, Riley D. A review of the use and role of low potencies in homeopathy. Complement Ther Med. 2005;13:291-296.
    1. Frass M, Friehs H, Thallinger C, et al. Influence of adjunctive classical homeopathy on global health status and subjective wellbeing in cancer patients—a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2015;23:309-317.
    1. Rostock M, Naumann J, Guethlin C, Guenther L, Bartsch HH, Walach H. Classical homeopathy in the treatment of cancer patients—a prospective observational study of two independent cohorts. BMC Cancer. 2011;11:19.
    1. Border MF, Colas A, Marijnen P, Masson J, Trichard M. Treating hot flushes in menopausal women with homeopathic treatment—results of an observational study. Homeopathy. 2008;97:10-15.
    1. Clover A, Ratsey D. Homeopathic treatment of hot flushes: a pilot study. Homeopathy. 2002;91:75-79.
    1. Jacobs J, Herman P, Heron K, Olsen S, Vaughters L. Homeopathy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11:21-27.
    1. Thompson EA, Reilly D. The homeopathic approach to the treatment of symptoms of oestrogen withdrawal in breast cancer patients. A prospective observational study. Homeopathy. 2003;92:131-134.
    1. Thompson EA, Montgomery A, Douglas D, Reilly D. A pilot, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of individualized homeopathy for symptoms of estrogen withdrawal in breast-cancer survivors. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11:13-20.
    1. Balzarini A, Felisi E, Martini A, De Conno F. Efficacy of homeopathic treatment of skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Br Homeopath J. 2000;89:8-12.
    1. Schlappack O. Homeopathic treatment of radiation-induced itching in breast cancer patients. A prospective observational study. Homeopathy. 2004;93:210-215.
    1. Kassab S, Cummings M, Berkovitz S, van Haselen R, Fisher P. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;2:CD004845.
    1. Gleiss A, Frass M, Gaertner K. Re-analysis of survival data of cancer patients utilizing additive homeopathy. Complement Ther Med. 2016;27:65-67.
    1. Mc Kenna F, Killoury F. An investigation into the use of complementary and alternative medicine in an urban general practice. Ir Med J. 2010;103:205-208.
    1. Velicer CM, Ulrich CM. Vitamin and mineral supplement use among US adults after cancer diagnosis: a systematic review. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:665-673.
    1. Längler A, Spix C, Edelhäuser F, Kameda G, Kaatsch P, Seifert G. Use of homeopathy in pediatric oncology in Germany. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:867151.
    1. Fernandez CV, Stutzer CA, MacWilliam L, Fryer C. Alternative and complementary therapy use in pediatric oncology patients in British Columbia: prevalence and reasons for use and nonuse. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:1279-1286.
    1. Brulé D, Gillmeister B, Lee M, et al. A feasibility pilot trial of individualized homeopathic treatment of fatigue in children receiving chemotherapy. Integr Cancer Ther. 2016;15:495-501.
    1. Cragg GM, Newman DJ. Plants as a source of anti-cancer agents. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;100:72-79.
    1. Malizia E, Andreucci G, Paolucci D, Crescenzi F, Fabbri A, Fraioli F. Electroacupuncture and peripheral β-endorphin and ACTH levels. Lancet. 1979;2:535-536.
    1. Sharabi IS, Levin A, Schiff E, et al. Quality of life-related outcomes from a patient-tailored integrative medicine program: experience of Russian-speaking patients with cancer in Israel. Support Care Cancer. 2016;24:4345-4355.

Source: PubMed

Patrocinadores y Colaboradores

Condiciones médicas

Intervenciones de drogas

3
Suscribir