Lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue and sleep disturbances


Author: Carolyn Ee1, Shelley Kay2, Amy Reynolds3, Nicole Lovato4, Judith Lacey5, Bogda Koczwara6

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology Department, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, PO Box M33, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia; Translational Health Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: c.ee@westernsydney.edu.au.

<sup>2</sup> Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology Department, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, PO Box M33, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. Electronic address: shelley.kay@lh.org.au.

<sup>3</sup> Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (Sleep Health), Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia; Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: amy.reynolds@flinders.edu.au.

<sup>4</sup> Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (Sleep Health), Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia; Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: nicole.lovato@flinders.edu.au.

<sup>5</sup> NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology Department, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, PO Box M33, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: judith.lacey@lh.org.au.

<sup>6</sup> Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (Sleep Health), Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park 5042, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: bogda.koczwara@flinders.edu.au.
Conference/Journal: Maturitas
Date published: 2024 Jun 21
Other:
 Volume ID: 187   ,  Pages: 108056   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108056.   ,  Word Count: 192  
    Fatigue, insomnia and sleep disturbances are common after cancer diagnosis, and have a negative impact on quality of life and function. This narrative review synthesised evidence on lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue, insomnia and sleep disturbances in cancer survivors. There is strong evidence in support of aerobic and strength exercise for the relief of cancer-related fatigue. Yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, Tai Chi and qigong can also be recommended for cancer-related fatigue. The evidence on yoga, acupuncture and massage therapy for sleep disturbances in cancer is mixed, while exercise appears to have a modest favourable effect. There is insufficient evidence on nutrient supplements or dietary interventions for cancer-related fatigue or insomnia and other sleep disturbances after cancer. Beyond alleviating cancer-related fatigue and insomnia-related symptoms, integrative oncology and lifestyle interventions have potential to effect multiple other benefits, such as improvement in symptoms such as pain and menopausal symptoms. There is a need for well-designed randomised controlled trials of interventions, particularly in the areas of diet and nutrient supplements, and for implementation studies of interventions already supported by evidence.



Keywords: Cancer survivors; Diet; Exercise; Fatigue; Integrative oncology; Sleep.



PMID: 38981156 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108056