Massage therapy can effectively relieve cancer pain: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To critically evaluate the effects of massage therapy on cancer pain. METHODS: Nine Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science core, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP) were systematically searched from the inception of databases to November 2022 for randomized controlled trials. According to Cochrane Collaboration, 2 reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the included studies. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.4. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, containing 1000 patients (498 in the massage therapy group and 502 in the control group). Massage therapy could significantly relieve cancer pain in patients (standardized mean difference = -1.16, 95% confidence interval [-1.39, -0.93], P < .00001), especially those in the perioperative period and those with hematological malignancies. Foot reflexology and hand acupressure had a moderate effect on cancer pain relief, with hand acupressure being more effective. Massage duration of 10 to 30 minutes and a program length of ≥1 week had a better effect and could significantly relieve pain. The occurrence of adverse events was reported in 4 of the 13 studies, all of which were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Massage therapy can be used as a complementary alternative therapy to relieve cancer pain in patients with hematological malignancies, breast cancer, and cancers of the digestive system. It is suggested that chemotherapy patients use foot reflexology, and perioperative period patients use hand acupressure. A massage duration of 10 to 30 minutes and a program length of ≥1 week is recommended to achieve better effects.

Which Exercise Approaches Work for Relieving Cancer-Related Fatigue? A Network Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most effective exercise modalities for managing cancer-related fatigue during and after cancer treatment. DESIGN: Network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials. LITERATURE SEARCH: Seven electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to January 2022. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials testing the effects of exercise on relieving cancer-related fatigue in adult patients with cancer. DATA SYNTHESIS: An NMA of 56 studies was conducted, and the PRISMA-NMA guidelines were followed when reporting results. To determine the most effective interventions, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value was calculated for each exercise modality. RESULTS: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise (standardized mean difference [SMD], 1.57; credible interval [CrI], 1.03-2.10), yoga (SMD, 1.02; CrI: 0.44, 1.60), and regular physical activity (SMD, 1.07; CrI: 0.21, 1.92) could significantly alleviate cancer-related fatigue compared to control groups (usual care, wait-list, and regular physical activity). Combined aerobic and resistance exercise (SUCRA, 97.2%) had the highest probability of efficacy, followed by yoga (SUCRA, 75.5%) and regular physical activity (SUCRA, 74.1%). During cancer treatment, combined aerobic and resistance exercise (SUCRA, 94.5%) ranked first in efficacy, followed by regular physical activity (SUCRA, 82.1%) and yoga (SUCRA, 73.8%). After cancer treatment, only combined aerobic and resistance exercise (SMD, 0.99; CrI: 0.13, 1.84) had a significant effect on cancer-related fatigue. CONCLUSION: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise, yoga, and regular physical activity were the most effective exercise modalities for alleviating cancer-related fatigue. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise is recommended during and after cancer treatment. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(6):1-10. Epub: 23 March 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11251.

Aromatherapy with single essential oils can significantly improve the sleep quality of cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of aromatherapy on sleep quality in cancer patients. METHODS: Published literature on the effect of aromatherapy in cancer patients with sleep disorders in the form of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically retrieved and screened from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases from inception to November 2021. The methodological quality of the included studies was critically and independently evaluated by two reviewers using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for RCTs. The correlated data were extracted using the pre-designed form, and all analyses were performed using Reviewer Manager version 5.4. Due to the difference in sleep quality instruments, the data extracted in this study were in the form of standard mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Ten RCTs included 933 patients (experimental group: 474, control group: 459), and the risk of bias in the included studies was moderate. Aromatherapy could significantly improve the sleep quality of cancer patients [SMD = - 0.79, 95% CI (- 0.93, - 0.66), p < 0.01], especially those with breast cancer [SMD = - 0.98, 95% CI (- 1.57, - 0.40), p < 0.01]. Aromatherapy with single essential oil had a better effect on sleep quality [SMD = -0.94, 95%CI (- 1.25, - 0.62), p < 0.01], of which lavender essential oil had the best effect [SMD = -1.06,95%CI (- 1.49, - 0.63), p < 0.01] while compound essential oils had no effect on sleep quality improvement in cancer patients [SMD = -0.21, 95%CI (- 0.57, 0.14), p = 0.23]. Four of the ten RCTs reported the occurrence of adverse events, of which only one RCT indicated that patients had headache and sneezing while the remaining six did not. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of 10 RCTs reveals that aromatherapy with single essential oil had a substantial effect on the sleep quality of cancer patients and should be recommended as a beneficial complementary therapy to promote sleep quality in cancer patients.

Aromatherapy with inhalation can effectively improve the anxiety and depression of cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis was to critically evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on the symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. METHODS: Eight Chinese and English databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) were systematically searched from the inception of databases to October 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). According to Cochrane Collaboration criteria, two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extract data from included studies. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.4. RESULTS: Eleven qualified studies were included in the meta-analysis, ten of which reported the effect of aromatherapy on anxiety in cancer patients, including 1724 patients; five of the studies reported the effect on depression, including 1039 patients. The quality of the included studies was low, and most studies compared aromatherapy to usual care. This meta-analysis indicated that aromatherapy appeared to be effective for anxiety [SMD = -0.51, 95%CI (-0.83, -0.19), P = 0.002] and depression [SMD = -0.44, 95%CI (-0.76, -0.12), P = 0.008] symptoms in cancer patients. Inhalation aromatherapy may be more effective than massage. Aromatherapy seemed to improve the anxiety symptoms in cancer patients in a short time, especially in perioperative patients, but had no effect for patients treated with radiation, chemotherapy or palliative therapy. Placebo also appeared to be effective in some studies. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy, especially inhalation aromatherapy, may help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients, but more and higher-quality studies are needed. The literature does not yet support clinical implementation.