Measuring perceived effects of drinking an extract of basidiomycetes Agaricus blazei Murill: a survey of Japanese consumers with cancer.
BACKGROUND
To survey cancer patients who consume an extract of the Basidiomycetes Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom (Sen-Sei-Ro) to measure their self-assessment of its effects and to develop an instrument for use in future randomized trials.


METHODS
We designed, translated and mailed a survey to 2,346 Japanese consumers of Sen-Sei-Ro self-designated as cancer patients. The survey assessed consumer demographics, cancer history, Sen-Sei-Ro consumption, and its perceived effects. We performed exploratory psychometric analyses to identify distinct, multi-item scales that could summarize perceptions of effects.


RESULTS
We received completed questionnaires from 782 (33%) of the sampled Sen-Sei-Ro consumers with a cancer history. Respondents represented a broad range of cancer patients familiar with Sen-Sei-Ro. Nearly all had begun consumption after their cancer diagnosis. These consumers expressed consistently positive views, though not extremely so, with more benefit reported for more abstract benefits such as emotional and physical well-being than relief of specific symptoms. We identified two conceptually and empirically distinct and internally consistent summary scales measuring Sen-Sei-Ro consumers' perceptions of its effects, Relief of Symptoms and Functional Well-being (Cronbach's alpha: Relief of Symptoms, alpha = .74; Functional Well-Being, alpha = .91).


CONCLUSIONS
Respondents to our survey of Sen-Sei-Ro consumers with cancer reported favorable perceived effects from its use. Our instrument, when further validated, may be a useful outcome in trials assessing this and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) substances in cancer patients.
Talcott
James A
JA
Center for Outcomes Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. jtalcott@partners.org
Clark
Jack A
JA
Lee
Insu P
IP
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000364:Agaricus; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010936:Plant Extracts