Acute pain relief after Mantram meditation in children with neuroblastoma undergoing anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody therapy.
Nonpharmacologic, mind-body interventions are used to reduce anxiety in pediatric patients. Anti-ganglioside GD2 monoclonal antibody (anti-GD2 MoAb 3F8) therapy is the standard of care for high-risk neuroblastoma and pain is its major side effect. We performed a retrospective analysis of children undergoing anti-GD2 MoAb 3F8 treatment who received guided meditation. Meditation involved concentrating on the repetition of rhythmic, melodic sounds purported to slow breathing and induce a relaxation response. A total of 71% patients completed a session at first (n=19) or second attempt (n=5). Patients received fewer analgesic doses to manage anti-GD2 MoAb 3F8-induced pain when participating in meditation (n=17, mean=-0.4 dose, P<0.01). Mantram meditation is a feasible outpatient intervention associated with reduced analgesic requirements.
*Department of Pediatrics †Office of Clinical Research, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Mahiuddin
M
Ahmed
Shakeel
S
Modak
Sonia
S
Sequeira
D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005732:Gangliosides; C019403:ganglioside, GD2