Examples of clinical research studies in integrative medicine (IM).
| Complementary Therapy . | Phase Trial . | No. of Pts. . | Outcome . | Refs . |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * In-vitro study | ||||
| Abbreviations: RCT, randomized placebo-controlled study | ||||
| Acupuncture for: | ||||
| 1. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting | 6 RCTs | 739 | Reduced severity and duration of nausea and number of bouts of vomiting | 26 |
| 2. Cancer pain | RCT | 90 | Decrease in pain intensity by visual analog scale | 34 |
| 3. Post-chemotherapy fatigue | Pilot | 37 | Mean improvement in baseline fatigue score | 33 |
| Massage therapy for: | ||||
| 1. Anxiety, stress | RCT | 34 | Immediate effect post massage in distress as measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) | 32 |
| 2. Nausea in autologous marrow transplant | RCT | 34 | Immediate effect post massage as measured by STAI | 32 |
| Antioxidant: | ||||
| Childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) | Observational study | 103 | Greater Vitamin C intake associated with fewer therapy delays, less toxicity, and fewer hospital days Greater Vitamin E intake associated with lower incidence of infection Greater Beta-carotene intake associated with decreased risk of toxicity Lower intakes of antioxidants associated with increase in adverse side effects of chemotherapy | 44 |
| Antioxidant in conjunction with radiation therapy | Review | NA* | Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the onset and development of the disease. Experimental studies show that antioxidants that prevent ROS damage can act as cancer protective agents. Once cancer has developed, radiation therapy relies on ROS toxicity to eradicate tumor cells, thus raising questions about the simultaneous use of antioxidants and radiation. | 17 |
| Relaxation training and guided imagery during chemotherapy | RCT | 96 | Patients in experimental group were more relaxed and easy going during the study. Quality of life was better. Imagery ratings correlated with clinical response. | 45 |
| Complementary Therapy . | Phase Trial . | No. of Pts. . | Outcome . | Refs . |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * In-vitro study | ||||
| Abbreviations: RCT, randomized placebo-controlled study | ||||
| Acupuncture for: | ||||
| 1. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting | 6 RCTs | 739 | Reduced severity and duration of nausea and number of bouts of vomiting | 26 |
| 2. Cancer pain | RCT | 90 | Decrease in pain intensity by visual analog scale | 34 |
| 3. Post-chemotherapy fatigue | Pilot | 37 | Mean improvement in baseline fatigue score | 33 |
| Massage therapy for: | ||||
| 1. Anxiety, stress | RCT | 34 | Immediate effect post massage in distress as measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) | 32 |
| 2. Nausea in autologous marrow transplant | RCT | 34 | Immediate effect post massage as measured by STAI | 32 |
| Antioxidant: | ||||
| Childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) | Observational study | 103 | Greater Vitamin C intake associated with fewer therapy delays, less toxicity, and fewer hospital days Greater Vitamin E intake associated with lower incidence of infection Greater Beta-carotene intake associated with decreased risk of toxicity Lower intakes of antioxidants associated with increase in adverse side effects of chemotherapy | 44 |
| Antioxidant in conjunction with radiation therapy | Review | NA* | Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the onset and development of the disease. Experimental studies show that antioxidants that prevent ROS damage can act as cancer protective agents. Once cancer has developed, radiation therapy relies on ROS toxicity to eradicate tumor cells, thus raising questions about the simultaneous use of antioxidants and radiation. | 17 |
| Relaxation training and guided imagery during chemotherapy | RCT | 96 | Patients in experimental group were more relaxed and easy going during the study. Quality of life was better. Imagery ratings correlated with clinical response. | 45 |