Integrative Oncology Care of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Adult Patients with Cancer
Publication Date: August 14, 2023
Last Updated: August 15, 2023
Treatment
Anxiety
Active Treatment
Recommendation 1.1
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) should be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 1.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with cancer types other than breast, the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 1.3
Hypnosis may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during cancer-related diagnostic and treatment procedures. ( EB , B , I , M )
615
Recommendation 1.4
Relaxation therapies may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
615
Recommendation 1.5
Music therapy or music-based interventions may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , M )
615
Recommendation 1.6
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Recommendation 1.7
Lavender essential oil inhalation may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms during cancer-related diagnostic and treatment procedures. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Post-Treatment
Recommendation 2.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 2.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with cancers types other than breast the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 2.3
Acupuncture may be offered to women with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 2.4
Tai chi and/or qigong may be offered to women with breast cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 2.5
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve anxiety symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Inconclusive
There is inconclusive evidence to make recommendations for or against music therapy, and music-based interventions to improve anxiety symptoms in people with cancer who are post treatment. There is also inconclusive evidence for nutritional interventions, light therapy, psilocybin, massage, dance/movement therapy, laughter therapy, healing touch, expressive writing, acupressure, biofeedback, autogenic training, energy healing, melatonin, or other natural products and supplements to improve anxiety symptoms in people with cancer, regardless of when in the course of care the intervention is provided.
Depression
Active Treatment
Recommendation 3.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 3.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with other cancers the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 3.3
Music therapy or music-based interventions may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , M )
615
Recommendation 3.4
Relaxation therapies may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Recommendation 3.5
Reflexology may be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms during active treatment. ( EB , B , L , W )
615
Post-Treatment
Recommendation 4.1
Mindfulness-based interventions should be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , H , S )
615
Recommendation 4.2
Yoga may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , M )
Qualifying statement: For people with other cancers the quality of evidence is low, and the strength of recommendation is weak.
615
Recommendation 4.3
Tai chi-qigong may be offered to people with breast cancer to improve depression symptoms post treatment. ( EB , B , I , W )
615
Recommendation 4.4
Expressive writing should not be offered to people with cancer to improve depression symptoms at any point in the course of care. ( EB , B/H , I , M )
615
Inconclusive
There is inconclusive evidence to make recommendations for or against reflexology to improve depression symptoms in people with cancer who are post treatment. There is also inconclusive evidence for nutritional interventions, light therapy, massage therapy, biofeedback, autogenic training, energy healing, melatonin, and other natural products and supplements to improve depression symptoms in people with cancer, regardless of when in the course of care these therapies are provided.
Recommendation Grading
Disclaimer
The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Overview
Title
Integrative Oncology Care of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Adult Patients with Cancer
Authoring Organizations
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Society for Integrative Oncology
Publication Month/Year
August 14, 2023
Last Updated Month/Year
September 30, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
Country of Publication
US
Target Patient Population
Patients with cancer who experience anxiety and/or depression symptoms
PICO Questions
How Can People with Cancer Access These Therapies?
Are There Health Disparities in Accessing Integrative Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Among Individuals Living Beyond Cancer?
Should Cancer Centres Offer Evidence-based Integrative Therapies?
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Supplemental Methodology Resources
Methodology
Number of Source Documents
255
Literature Search Start Date
October 31, 1990
Literature Search End Date
December 31, 2022