Author: Alina Busch1, Alena Krause1, Matthias Rostock2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik (Onkologie, Hämatologie, Knochenmarktransplantation mit Sektion Pneumologie), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
<sup>2</sup> Universitäres Cancer Center Hamburg, II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik (Onkologie, Hämatologie, Knochenmarktransplantation mit Sektion Pneumologie), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland. m.rostock@uke.de.
Conference/Journal: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz
Date published: 2024 Oct 7
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s00103-024-03957-8. , Word Count: 215
The majority of cancer patients experience fatigue during the course of their illness. Fatigue should not be seen as an inevitable consequence of cancer and its treatment. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a multidimensional symptom complex that is influenced by a variety of factors. Complementary medicine approaches offer potentially promising strategies to address this fatigue and can therefore be a valuable addition to conventional therapies.In this narrative review, complementary medicine treatment approaches for tumor-associated fatigue are presented according to the historical development and current scientific evidence. The focus is on methods with the highest current evidence based on the recommendations of national and international guidelines. Therapeutic approaches from mind-body medicine, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), yoga, tai chi, and qigong, as well as acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, and phytotherapeutic treatment approaches are presented.In Germany, the complementary therapies listed here are not generally covered by health insurances. However, a few clinics have developed comprehensive programs in mind-body medicine, for which cost coverage has already been obtained. As a result, complementary medical treatments for cancer-related fatigue that adhere to national and international guidelines are typically available only as private services or within the framework of study participation.
Keywords: Acupuncture; Guideline recommendations; Herbal medicine; Mind-body medicine; Yoga.
PMID: 39375219 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-024-03957-8