Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric oncology.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used for children with cancer and to explore issues and directions for measuring outcomes of CAM therapies in children.


METHODS
Scientific and research articles, internet for active research studies.


CONCLUSIONS
CAM is increasingly used as adjunctive cancer therapies in pediatrics. Mind-body and touch therapies have the greatest evidencefor effectiveness in reducing psychological and physical stressors. Supplements and herbal therapies receive the greatest interest, however, and more research is needed to determine efficacy in improving symptoms or outcomes in children with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Mind-body and touch therapies can be used by nurses to reduce symptoms and anxiety in children. Potential risks and benefits should be determined for therapies that have no evidence.
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. postw001@umn.edu
Janice
J
Post-White
Ria G
RG
Hawks
D002648:Child; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005544:Forecasting; D006040:Goals; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome