CHEST Guidelines-Complementary-Therapies-and-Integrative-Medicine-i

Complementary-Therapies-and-Integrative-Medicine-i

Pdf Summary

The document discusses complementary therapies and integrative medicine in the context of lung cancer management, as per the ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians) guidelines. It emphasizes the growing interest and utilization of complementary therapies among cancer patients, outlining the necessity for informed physician guidance on these modalities.

Key recommendations include:

1. <strong>Mind-Body Modalities:</strong> Suggested as part of a multidisciplinary strategy to alleviate anxiety, mood disturbances, pain, sleep issues, and anticipatory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, thereby enhancing the quality of life for lung cancer patients (Grade 2B).

2. <strong>Acupuncture:</strong> Proposed as an adjunct for patients experiencing nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy or radiation, as well as for cancer-related pain and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. It is generally considered safe when administered by qualified professionals (Grade 2B).

3. <strong>Nutrition:</strong> A diet rich in non-starchy fruits and vegetables and low in red and processed meats is recommended to potentially mitigate lung cancer risk (Grade 2C). For patients undergoing treatment who experience weight loss, high-calorie and protein supplements are advised to help stabilize weight (Grade 2C). Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids is suggested to improve nutritional status in patients with sarcopenia (Grade 2C).

4. <strong>Exercise-based Rehabilitation:</strong> For patients with compromised lung function due to operable or inoperable lung cancer, supervised exercise programs are encouraged to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity (Grade 2C).

5. <strong>Massage Therapy:</strong> It can reduce anxiety and pain in lung cancer patients when included in cancer supportive care by trained professionals (Grade 2B).

The guidelines also stress the importance of professionals discussing the benefits and risks of complementary therapies with their patients to address unmet needs and enhance their therapeutic journey. The document concludes with a call for more high-quality research to bolster the evidence supporting these therapies.

Keywords

complementary therapies

integrative medicine

lung cancer management

ACCP guidelines

mind-body modalities

acupuncture

nutrition

exercise-based rehabilitation

massage therapy

cancer supportive care