A critical review of complementary therapies for cancer-related fatigue.
OBJECTIVE
To review the available literature on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for cancer-related fatigue with an aim to develop directions for future research.


METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus were searched for relevant studies. Original clinical trials reporting on the use of CAM treatments for cancer-related fatigue were abstracted and critically reviewed.


RESULTS
CAM interventions tested for cancer-related fatigue include acupuncture, aromatherapy, adenosine triphosphate infusions, energy conservation and activity management, healing touch, hypnosis, lectin-standardized mistletoe extract, levocarnitine, massage, mindfulness-based stress reduction, polarity therapy, relaxation, sleep promotion, support group, and Tibetan yoga. Several of these interventions seem promising in initial studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, insufficient data exist to recommend any specific CAM modality for cancer-related fatigue. Therefore, potentially effective CAM interventions ready for further study in large, randomized clinical trials (eg, acupuncture, massage, levocarnitine, and the use of mistletoe) should be pursued. Other interventions should be tested in well-designed feasibility and phase II trials.
Sood
Amit
A
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. sood.amit@mayo.edu
Barton
Debra L
DL
Bauer
Brent A
BA
Loprinzi
Charles L
CL
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D028182:Viscum album
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002331:Carnitine