title: Effects of spiritual healing for women undergoing long-term hormone therapy for breast cancer: a qualitative investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spiritual Healing is widely available and used, but is a neglected area for research and its biologic and psychologic mechanisms are not understood. The side-effects of long-term hormonal therapy for breast cancer are onerous and have been reported to lead to "drug holidays" that could diminish the long-term treatment benefits. It was investigated whether Spiritual Healing could support patients with breast cancer undergoing this treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The qualitative observation study took place in a specialist research facility in a general hospital. Spiritual Healing was provided by 4 healers registered with the National Federation of Spiritual Healers. Twelve (12) patients with breast cancer undergoing long-term hormone treatment and who found the effects onerous, self-referred themselves and were given ten weekly sessions of approximately 40 minutes each. Data collected included participant's daily records, direct observations noted by healers, the researcher's field diary and a one-to-one semi-structured interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive effects of Spiritual Healing included alleviation of the physical side-effects of their treatment, increased energy levels, enhanced well-being, emotional relaxation, and re-engagement with precancer activities. Although 1 participant admitted considering a drug holiday prior to joining the study, none of the participants felt tempted to stop their hormonal treatments while receiving Spiritual Healing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These qualitative findings indicate that Spiritual Healing has the potential to support patients with breast cancer in the maintenance of their long-term orthodox treatments. Further research is needed to test Spiritual Healing as a cost-effective complementary therapy, for those undergoing long-term cancer treatments.
authors.affiliation: Health Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Fiona.barlow@hotmail.co.uk
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewith
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D026443:Spiritual Therapies; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists