Lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy for alleviating cancer-related fatigue and sleep disturbances in cancer survivors.
Results Summary
The study found that massage therapy can be recommended for cancer-related fatigue, though evidence for its effects on sleep disturbances in cancer survivors is mixed.
Population
Cancer survivors experiencing fatigue, insomnia, or sleep disturbances.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aerobic and strength exercise | decrease | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | strong evidence in support | #1 |
Yoga | decrease | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | can be recommended | #2 |
massage therapy | decrease | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | can be recommended | #3 |
acupuncture | decrease | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | can be recommended | #4 |
Tai Chi and qigong | decrease | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | can be recommended | #5 |
yoga | no change | sleep disturbances | cancer survivors | - | evidence is mixed | #6 |
acupuncture | no change | sleep disturbances | cancer survivors | - | evidence is mixed | #7 |
massage therapy | no change | sleep disturbances | cancer survivors | - | evidence is mixed | #8 |
exercise | decrease | sleep disturbances | cancer survivors | - | appears to have a modest favourable effect | #9 |
nutrient supplements or dietary interventions | no change | cancer-related fatigue | cancer survivors | - | insufficient evidence | #10 |
nutrient supplements or dietary interventions | no change | insomnia and other sleep disturbances | cancer survivors | - | insufficient evidence | #11 |
integrative oncology and lifestyle interventions | decrease | symptoms such as pain and menopausal symptoms | cancer survivors | - | have potential to effect multiple other benefits | #12 |
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.