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Abstract

Background: Complementary medicines (CM), including homeopathy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine, have been introduced for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in the Pitigliano Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine in order to minimize the side effects of these treatments, which improves quality of life and adherence to conventional therapies.

Methods: Cancer patients (240) were enrolled in an integrated care model offering a comprehensive protocol including homeopathy and acupuncture, provided in line with the stage of the disease as well as in consideration of any comorbidities in individual patients. The following data were collected upon enrollment and also after 1-2 months of the integrated therapies:SF-12 quality of life (QoL) questionnaire;Edmonton symptom assessment scale (ESAS);and a questionnaire on the use of conventional medications.

Results: There was a 92.4% reduction in symptoms (as monitored by ESAS) caused by the patient’s disease or by comorbidities. The SF-12 revealed reduced fatigue and increased wellness, as well as good adherence to the cancer treatments. Additionally, a reduction in the use of conventional medications for side effects, good control of cancer symptoms, and an improved QoL was also observed. Conclusions: This study suggests the use of complementary medicines to reduce therapyrelated symptoms in oncologic patients without any adverse effects and to reduce the use of conventional drugs in this case.

Rosaria Ferreri *, Simonetta Bernardini, Franco Cracolici , Francesca Bechini
Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine, Tuscany Reference Centre for Integrated Medicine in Hospitals, Pitigliano Hospital, Italy;

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Categoria: Pubblicazioni scientifiche

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Abstract 

The hospital in Pitigliano (Tuscany) is the first hospital in Italy to put into practice a model of Integrated Medicine. This clinical setting caters for the use of complementary medicine (homeopathy and acupuncture (針灸 zhēn jiǔ)) alongside orthodox therapies (conventional medicine). The therapeutic model implicates doctors who are experts in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM; 補充與替代醫學 bǔ chōng yǔ tì dài yī xué) and the rest of the hospital personnel working together as equals. This contribution explains the difficulties, critical aspects and potential of this innovative setting.

Leggi tutto: Integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture for inpatients: Three years...

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Categoria: Pubblicazioni scientifiche

Abstract        

Background: Acupuncture is an innovative and scientifically supported treatment for oncologic patients, as well as an effective palliative care option. At the Palliative Care Department of “Misericordia” Grosseto Hospital in Tuscany, real integration of acupuncture in palliative medicine has been possible. The objective of this work is to retrospectively evaluate patient treatment outcomes obtained using an integrated medical care approach administered within a palliative care unit.

Methods: Medical records of oncology patients admitted to the palliative care unit who voluntarily underwent integrated therapy with acupuncture were retrospectively analyzed.

Treatment was innovative and personalized and included the use of

•  points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),
•  points based on the Microsystems Acupuncture Technique,
•  points based on psychic action (Shen Ling).

Codified evaluation indexes were used to rate patient status at the beginning of treatment and after 1-2 months. Treatment outcomes were evaluated for oncologic patients voluntarily participating as palliative care outpatients or inpatients receiving integrated acupuncture therapy.

Results: 172 cancer patients treated over a two-year period received a total of approximately 600 treatments, with 92.4% of patients reporting improvement of symptoms. Examination of patient data obtained from the SF 12 questionnaire and of patient assessments based on the Edmonton Symptoms Assessment Scale (ESAS) revealed remarkable improvement in perceived health 2 months after initiation of integrated therapy (p<0.01). Specifically, marked post-treatment improvement in symptoms of pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbance, anxiety, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, cough and well-being were observed, with no improvement observed for dry mouth or depression. No major side effects were reported.

Conclusions: Acupuncture is a promising and safe adjunctive therapy for management of common symptoms that afflict oncological patients during all stages of disease, including symptoms of patients nearing the end of life in a home or hospice setting.

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Categoria: Pubblicazioni scientifiche

UN TESTO SULL'INFERTILITA'  Dai Simboli alle applicazioni pratiche Franco Cracolici – Chiara Riviello

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