CAM are Medical Products and Services Not Part of Standard Medication Care

A brief description of the Complementary and Alternative medicine I selected

Pain is a major symptom in patients with cancer, affecting more than 75% of hospitalized patients. Management of pain is crucial to improve the quality of life of patients with cancer and is widely recognized as a quality measure for optimal care by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Unfortunately, cancer pain is frequently under-recognized and undertreated, and hence the call for pain to be recorded as the fifth vital sign (Bardia, et al., 2006). The National Cancer Institute cites a number of major barriers for adequate control, including inadequate pain management skills among healthcare professionals; poor assessment of pain; reluctance of patients to report pain; concerns about regulation, addiction, and adverse effects of controlled substances; poor adherence; and inadequate reimbursement. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used widely especially among cancer patients Bardia, et al., 2006). They have been used both as an alternative to conventional medicine (alternative medicine) and complementary to conventional medicine (complementary medicine). It has been suggested that they should be used in conjunction with conventional therapies in an integrative fashion (integrative medicine) and integrated with oncology clinics. It is also known that patients frequently do not discuss CAM therapies with physicians and that many oncologists have limited knowledge of CAM. Thus, wider dissemination of evidence-based applications for CAM interventions has been suggested (Bardia, et al., 2006).

Explanation of how this CAM is effective in reducing stress.

Cancer-related distress is defined as an “unpleasant emotional experience of a psychological, social, and/or spiritual nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment” (Chandwani et al., 2012). Several factors can cause stress during the cancer experience; a cancer diagnosis itself is a strong stressor associated with “disbelief, anxiety, depression,” and disturbances of sleep, appetite, and routine daily activities. In addition to uncertainty about the disease and its treatment, there is also fear of death, disease progression, reduction in quality of life (QOL) and relationships, a loss of sense of control, and impacts on decision-making ability and treatment compliance. Cancer patients experience a broad spectrum of individual and cooccurring symptoms such as pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, wasting, and cognitive impairments, which both promote and indicate distress. Regardless of treatment regimen, distressing symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, pain, depression, hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, and cognitive deficits frequently occur and often persist following treatment. Overall, a cancer diagnosis creates a vicious and compounding cycle of stress. Cancer-related stress affects all patients with cancer and negatively impacts cancer outcomes in terms of response to treatment, quality of life, disease progression, and survival in different phases of their experience (Chandwani et al., 2012). Feasibility of intervention with several CAM techniques and products commonly used by cancer patients and survivors has been established in some cancer populations: for example, mind-body techniques of meditation, yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, acupuncture, manipulative techniques massage, energy-based polarity therapy and Reiki, and some natural products. Efficacy of some CAM techniques and products in reducing stress and/or stress-related symptoms in patients with cancer has been documented (Chandwani et al., 2012).

Explain any contraindications or cautions with this type of stress management strategy. Use the current literature to support your response.

Relatively few complications from using acupuncture have been reported. Still, complications have resulted from use of nonsterile needles and improper delivery of treatments. When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections, punctured organs, collapsed lungs, and injury to the central nervous system. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices for use by licensed practitioners and requires that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only (Brewer et al., 2011). In addition, meditation is generally considered to be safe for healthy people. However, people with physical limitations may not be able to participate in certain meditative practices involving movement. (Brewer et al., 2011). Finally, Yoga is generally low-impact and safe for healthy people when practiced appropriately under the guidance of a well-trained instructor. Overall, those who practice yoga have a low rate of side effects, and the risk of serious injury from yoga is quite low. However, certain types of stroke as well as pain from nerve damage are among the rare possible side effects of practicing yoga. Women who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, glaucoma (a condition in which fluid pressure within the eye slowly increases and may damage the eye’s optic nerve), and sciatica (pain, weakness, numbing, or tingling that may extend from the lower back to the calf, foot, or even the toes), should modify or avoid some yoga poses(Brewer et al., 2011).

References:

Bardia, A., Barton, D.L., Prokop, L.J., Bauer,B.A., & Moynihan, J.T.2006).Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies in Relieving Cancer Pain: A .Systematic Review Journal of Clinical Oncology. 24(34), 5457-5464 DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2006.08.3725

Brewer JA, Mallik S, Babuscio TA, et al. 2011).Mindfulness training for smoking cessation: results from a randomized controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 119(1–2), 72–80.

Kavita D. Chandwani, Julie L. Ryan, Luke J. Peppone, Michelle M. Janelsins, Lisa K. Sprod, Katie Devine, Lara Trevino, Jennifer Gewandter, Gary R. Morrow, Karen M. Mustian, “2012). Cancer-Related Stress and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Review”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 979213, 15 https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/979213