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1.
Cancer-Related Fatigue-Is There a Role for Complementary and Integrative Medicine?
David, A, Hausner, D, Frenkel, M
Current oncology reports. 2021;(12):145
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to assess recent data on possible effective and safe complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) modalities that can be of help to patients affected by cancer that suffer from cancer-related fatigue (CRF). RECENT FINDINGS Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common, persistent, and challenging symptoms among cancer patients and survivors. Many world-leading cancer centers incorporate CIM into routine cancer care including integrating multiple approaches to address CRF. Approaches that are supported by clinical evidence on the use of CIM during and following conventional oncology treatments are being discussed in this review. The review suggests that some CIM modalities might have a potential role in alleviating cancer-related fatigue. These modalities include acupuncture, touch therapies, nutrition, nutritional supplements, stress reduction, homeopathy, and circadian rhythm management. Additional research is still needed to better support the process of integrating CIM into a routine approach to cancer-related fatigue.
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2.
Foods from Mayan Communities of Yucatán as Nutritional Alternative for Diabetes Prevention.
Uuh Narvaez, JJ, Segura Campos, MR
Journal of medicinal food. 2020;(4):349-357
Abstract
The increase in the prevalence of diabetes has become a severe problem around the world; mainly affecting indigenous communities as the Mayan of Yucatán in Mexico. Because of the high rates of poverty and insufficient health services in this ethnic group, inexpensive and accessible treatments are necessary. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. Our objective was to present a review of plant foods with nutritional alternatives for diabetes prevention from traditional agricultural systems in Mayan communities of Yucatán. This review reports the hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic activities of leaves, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, and tubercles grown in milpas and home gardens of Mayan communities. Some plant foods have antidiabetic effect in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. The inclusion of these plant foods in the diet can serve in the treatment of diabetes.
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3.
Complementary Medicine and Natural Medications in Psychiatry: A Guide for the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist.
Berman, S, Mischoulon, D, Naidoo, U
Psychosomatics. 2020;(5):508-517
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is commonly and increasingly used in America and worldwide and can include both pharmacologic (e.g., vitamins and supplements) and nonpharmacologic (e.g., yoga) interventions. These therapies may be of interest to patients who desire "natural" alternatives or complements to standard treatments. CAM may be used by patients, with or without supervision from a licensed medical professional, to treat psychiatric conditions. OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of more commonly used CAM interventions that have relevance to mental health care providers, particularly consultation-liaison psychiatrists, and to describe the indications, safety, and dosing of these treatments. METHODS We searched PubMed to identify articles that described the uses, safety, mechanisms, and recommendations for CAM therapies in relation to the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Articles most relevant to this review were included, with a preferential focus on meta-analyses and systematic reviews. RESULTS We summarized common CAM therapies that have shown efficacy for the treatment of psychiatric conditions. These therapies include natural medications, nutritional psychiatry, light therapy, yoga, and exercise. CONCLUSIONS Certain CAM interventions may be effective as monotherapies and/or as adjunctive treatments for psychiatric conditions. However, they may also have safety risks, contraindications, and/or interactions with medications. It is therefore important for physicians and other mental health care professionals to inquire about patient use of CAM and to understand the indications, safety, and dosing of these therapies.
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4.
Alternative and complementary therapies in osteoarthritis and cartilage repair.
Fuggle, NR, Cooper, C, Oreffo, ROC, Price, AJ, Kaux, JF, Maheu, E, Cutolo, M, Honvo, G, Conaghan, PG, Berenbaum, F, et al
Aging clinical and experimental research. 2020;(4):547-560
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Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint condition and, with a burgeoning ageing population, is due to increase in prevalence. Beyond conventional medical and surgical interventions, there are an increasing number of 'alternative' therapies. These alternative therapies may have a limited evidence base and, for this reason, are often only afforded brief reference (or completely excluded) from current OA guidelines. Thus, the aim of this review was to synthesize the current evidence regarding autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), vitamin D and other alternative therapies. The majority of studies were in knee OA or chondral defects. Matrix-assisted ACI has demonstrated exceedingly limited, symptomatic improvements in the treatment of cartilage defects of the knee and is not supported for the treatment of knee OA. There is some evidence to suggest symptomatic improvement with MSC injection in knee OA, with the suggestion of minimal structural improvement demonstrated on MRI and there are positive signals that PRP may also lead to symptomatic improvement, though variation in preparation makes inter-study comparison difficult. There is variability in findings with vitamin D supplementation in OA, and the only recommendation which can be made, at this time, is for replacement when vitamin D is deplete. Other alternative therapies reviewed have some evidence (though from small, poor-quality studies) to support improvement in symptoms and again there is often a wide variation in dosage and regimens. For all these therapeutic modalities, although controlled studies have been undertaken to evaluate effectiveness in OA, these have often been of small size, limited statistical power, uncertain blindness and using various methodologies. These deficiencies must leave the question as to whether they have been validated as effective therapies in OA (or chondral defects). The conclusions of this review are that all alternative interventions definitely require clinical trials with robust methodology, to assess their efficacy and safety in the treatment of OA beyond contextual and placebo effects.
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5.
Nonantibiotic treatments for urinary cystitis: an update.
Barea, BM, Veeratterapillay, R, Harding, C
Current opinion in urology. 2020;(6):845-852
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of most common infections in everyday clinical practice. Given the increase in antimicrobial therapy resistance, there has been an increased interest in nonantibiotic treatment options for common infections. RECENT FINDINGS A review of the recent literature including on nonantibiotic options for management of UTIs, symptoms of cystitis and prevention of recurrent UTIs. SUMMARY The article provides an overview on alternative therapy to antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis and recurrent UTI prophylaxis, including alkalinization of urine, cranberry products, probiotics, NSAIDS, D-mannose, herbal medicine, methenamine hippurate, oral immunostimulants (immunotherapy), topical oestrogens, vitamins and acupuncture. The last few years of intense research has focused on an effort to find evidence to corroborate potentially efficacious non antibiotic treatments. However, alternative treatments for UTIs have not brought conclusive evidence that antibiotic usage can be replaced completely by nonantibiotic options. The reason for this is largely due to a lack of good-quality randomized controlled trials on this subject.
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Nontraditional (non-Western pharmaceutical) treatments for chronic kidney disease.
Gobe, GC, Wojcikowski, K
Clinical nephrology. 2020;(1):49-54
Abstract
Nontraditional, non-Western medicines, often called complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are, potentially, a huge low-cost therapy resource for poorer populations in the world. Use of CAM, particularly from plant sources, is common in poorer communities, but the scientific basis for their use is still under-researched and under-published. This review presents information on the treatment of kidney disease with CAM, particularly CKD and its closely associated cardiovascular disease (CVD), which might benefit vulnerable populations. The challenges of developing CAM therapies for resource-limited environments are also discussed, particularly with reference to targeting oxidative stress, a known cause of progressive diseases such as CKD and CVD. Oxidative stress is a mechanism often targeted by CAM, with good scientific basis. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants is one approach to reducing CKD incidence or morbidity. Antioxidant supplementation in populations with sufficient dietary antioxidant intake often report little benefit. In comparison, poorer populations that may have restricted nutritional dietary antioxidant intake may benefit from supplementation with antioxidants. Also needing consideration are the recorded instances of nephrotoxicity from CAM therapies, particularly related to nephrotoxic plant extracts, extract-drug reactions, and toxicity from contaminants within the extracts. As long as the possible toxicity of plant-derived CAM is considered, we argue that populations having marked deficiency in, or poor access to, dietary antioxidants, or high exposure to environmental oxidants, may benefit from these nontraditional medicines.
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7.
New Concepts of Chronic Pain and the Potential Role of Complementary Therapies.
Wojcikowski, K, Vigar, VJ, Oliver, CJ
Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2020;(S1):18-31
Abstract
CONTEXT The mechanisms of chronic pain involve complex neuroplastic changes at all 3 orders of neurons involved in the transmission of pain as well as changes in the descending inhibitory pathway. Although traditional pharmaceutical therapies have some efficacy, substantial scope exists for a new model of individualized therapy, tailored to the specific response of each patient. Because changes occur at all levels of the pain pathway, successful treatment may require a combination of therapies with different mechanisms of action. OBJECTIVE The research team intended to examine the potential changes within the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) of patients with chronic pain and to propose a model of chronic pain treatment involving multimodal, complementary therapies for individualized treatment targeting multiple sites along the pain pathway. DESIGN The research team performed a review of the literature in the field. SETTING The study took place in the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University (Lismore, New South Wales, Australia). INTERVENTIONS A growing body of evidence supports the use of a variety of complementary therapies to treat chronic pain, including curcumin, capsaicin, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, lipoic acid, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness meditation. These therapies vary with respect to the mechanisms by which they act and the potential areas of effect along the pain pathway. RESULTS The literature review showed a number of complementary therapies may be efficacious in reducing chronic pain and/or the need for analgesics, which may offer a reduced adverse effect profile. These therapies include curcumin, capsaicin, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, lipoic acid, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness meditation. Response rates to treatment are likely to vary between people and within therapies. CONCLUSIONS The available evidence suggests that efficacious complementary therapies exist that target all 3 orders of neurons and, therefore, the authors recommend multimodal individualized treatment for each patient. There is high interindividual variability between patients in responses to treatments.
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8.
The legitimacy and safety of using alternative diets in cancer.
Dobrowolska, K, Regulska-Ilow, B
Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny. 2020;(3):241-250
Abstract
Alternative diets are used by cancer patients, especially among those who are not treated with conventional methods. Due to worrying data published by the World Health Organisation and its Agenda, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Cancer Union, as well as epidemiological data from all over the world, it has been concluded that cancer will be the main cause of death in the world and that, therefore, the popularity of alternative diets among cancer patients may increase. The paper reviews the scientific literature and assesses the legitimacy and safety of selected alternative diets, as well as the description of research in terms of assumed anticancer efficacy in the following diets: ketogenic, Dr. Budwig and macrobiotic. The article also contains a summary of the analyzed scientific research and conclusions concerning the legitimacy of their use by cancer patients.
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9.
[Complementary medicine in uro-oncology].
Hübner, J
Der Urologe. Ausg. A. 2020;(6):695-699
Abstract
Modern concepts such as patient empowerment stand for the selection of appropriate concomitant treatment procedures from a scientific point of view and for placing these in the hands of the patient, thereby demanding and encouraging personal responsibility. It is important to distinguish between the terms complementary and/or alternative medicine. If we look at the motivation of patients to use complementary and/or alternative procedures, this is divided into the desire to do something directly against the tumor and on the other hand to strengthen the body's own resources, support the immune system, and reduce side effects in a concrete manner. The crux of modern oncology is that many specialists no longer have sufficient time for detailed patient information talks and multiple good physician-patient talks. The importance of complementary medicine in addition to nutrition and exercise lies above all in its targeted use as a concomitant supportive therapy. Complementary medicine primarily offers the chance to meet the desire of those affected to actively participate in their treatment.
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10.
Integrative Approaches to Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
Samuels, N, Ben-Arye, E
Current oncology reports. 2020;(3):23
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common complication of cancer treatment, with conventional treatment limited in its ability for prevention or treatment of symptoms. This review addresses the research assessing the effectiveness and safety of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) in preventing and treating CIPN-related symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS The CIM modalities acupuncture, classical massage, omega-3 fatty acids, and the Japanese Kampo medicine Goshanjishen may be of benefit in preventing or treating CIPN. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), glutamine/glutamate, alpha-lipoic acid, and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) are not, with ALCAR increasing symptom severity and vitamin E the risk for developing prostate cancer. CIM therapies with a potential for preventing or treating CIPN-related symptoms should be further investigated. CIM is considered safe when provided within an integrative oncology setting, under the guidance and supervision of an integrative physician.