Integrative Cancer Therapies最新文献

{"title":"The Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality as A Complementary Approach and a New Direction in Cancer Related Fatigue Management.","authors":"Bushra Alhusamiah, Mohannad Aldiqs, Ruqayya S Zeilani","doi":"10.1177/15347354241280272","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241280272","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Recent advancements in the field of medical technology have illuminated that the implementation of virtual reality interventions can be highly effective in managing cancer-related fatigue. Moreover, this innovative intervention has demonstrated a substantial improvement in patients' overall well-being and daily functioning. Thus, it represents a promising alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments by effectively addressing symptoms and enhancing quality of life. Therefore, the integration of this approach signifies a significant advancement in patient care. Nevertheless, despite the ongoing efforts to diversify non-pharmacological treatments, pharmacological interventions are still the predominant method for managing cancer-related fatigue. <b>Aim:</b> This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in cancer-related fatigue management, and to explore the main side effects of immersive virtual reality. <b>Methods:</b> This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. Several online databases were used to find eligible studies in peer-reviewed journals relevant to the study keywords. Specifically, the included studies were systematic reviews and clinical trials that used immersive virtual reality-based intervention among adult patients with cancer and suffering from cancer-related fatigue. As well as were published in the English language from 2014 to 2024. As well as, three researchers independently contributed to study selections, data extraction, and study evaluations from different aspects: including quality assessment, risk of bias, and study synthesis. <b>Results:</b> After an extensive and comprehensive search, a total of ten published studies were included in this review study; 6 articles were quantitative clinical trial studies, and the other 4 were systematic review and meta-analysis studies. The quality of 6 included clinical trials was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool for quantitative studies, the overall result showed that 33.3% of studies rated with moderate quality, no study was rated with low quality, and (66.7%) studies rated as high-quality studies. As well, the quality assessment of all review studies showed that all included systematic reviews and meta-analyses with a low risk of bias and high to moderate power of evidence. The result of this extensive and comprehensive review showed that immersive virtual reality has a significant effect in reducing cancer-related fatigue, however, still, there is a significant variation in the employment of immersive Virtual Reality protocols for cancer symptom management worldwide. <b>Conclusion:</b> Immersive virtual reality is an effective non-pharmacological intervention in reducing and controlling cancer-related fatigue among patients with various types of cancer, as we","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11421400/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142286337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Use of Herbal Medicine and Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Fatih Kus, Deniz Can Guven, Hasan Cagri Yildirim, Baran Akagunduz, Serdar Karakaya, Osman Sutcuoglu, Elvin Chalabiyev, Arif Akyildiz, Baris Koksal, Yigit Berk Sahin, Ece Karaca, Oguz Alp Kavruk, Nefise Tugce Zor, Firat Sirvan, Ozan Yazici, Suayib Yalcin","doi":"10.1177/15347354241280273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354241280273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to assess the habits and knowledge of cancer patients regarding the use of herbal medicines and dietary supplements in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data of 181 cancer patients who were over 18 years old and received ICIs were collected. The usage patterns, anticipated benefits and harms, and sources of supply were evaluated by filling researcher-prepared forms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most patients did not use any kind of herbal medicine (91.2%) or dietary supplements (75.9%) during their immunotherapy. Boosting the immune system is the primary motivation for use among users. Multivitamins are the most frequently used supplements. Family members and TV advertisements were the main sources of information, in addition to limited advice from healthcare professionals. A minority of participants reported gastrointestinal side effects. Herbal medicine and dietary supplement use were more prevalent among patients with stage IV cancer and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study revealed that the limited uptake of herbal medicines and dietary supplements alongside ICI treatment among cancer patients. The lack of adequate information from healthcare professionals poses potential risks to patients. Improved communication with patients, education regarding herbal medicine and dietary supplement use, potential interactions, and associated risks during ICI treatment are essential. Further research is needed to identify the specific needs of patients, anticipated benefits, and potential harms of herbal medicine and dietary supplement use, together with ICIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142375401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Herbal Combination Shu Gan Jie Yu Regulates the SNCG/ER-a/AKT-ERK Pathway in DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Cell Lines Based on RNA-Seq and IPA Analysis.","authors":"Yi Zhao, Linan Zhao, Tao Wang, Zhenghao Liu, Suyuan Tang, Hongxia Huang, Li Wu, Youzhi Sun","doi":"10.1177/15347354241233258","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241233258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Soothing the liver (called <i>Shu Gan Jie Yu</i> in Chinese, SGJY) is a significant therapeutic method for breast cancer in TCM. In this study, 3 liver-soothing herbs, including <i>Cyperus rotundus</i> L., <i>Citrus medica</i> L. var. <i>sarcodactylis</i> Swingle and <i>Rosa rugosa</i> Thunb. were selected and combined to form a SGJY herbal combinatory.</p><p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>To investigate the inhibiting effect of SGJY on breast cancer in vivo and vitro, and to explore the potential mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>SGJY herbal combination was extracted using water. A breast cancer rat model was developed by chemical DMBA by gavage, then treated with SGJY for 11 weeks. The tumor tissue was preserved for RNA sequencing and analyzed by IPA software. The inhibition effects of SGJY on MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells were investigated by SRB assay and cell apoptosis analysis, and the protein expression levels of SNCG, ER-α, <i>p</i>-AKT and <i>p</i>-ERK were measured by western blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SGJY significantly reduced the tumor weight and volume, and the level of estradiol in serum. The results of IPA analysis reveal SGJY upregulated 7 canonical pathways and downregulated 16 canonical pathways. Estrogen receptor signaling was the key canonical pathway with 9 genes downregulated. The results of upstream regulator analysis reveal beta-estradiol was the central target; the upstream regulator network scheme showed that 86 genes could affect the expression of the beta-estradiol, including SNCG, CCL21 and MB. Additionally, SGJY was verified to significantly alter the expression of SNCG mRNA, CCL21 mRNA and MB mRNA which was consistent with the data of RNA-Seq. The inhibition effects of SGJY exhibited a dose-dependent response. The apoptosis rates of MCF7 and T47D cells were upregulated. The protein expression of SNCG, ER-α, <i>p</i>-AKT and <i>p</i>-ERK were all significantly decreased by SGJY on MCF-7 and T47D cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results demonstrate that SGJY may inhibit the growth of breast cancer. The mechanism might involve downregulating the level of serum estradiol, and suppressing the protein expression in the SNCG/ER-α/AKT-ERK pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10878215/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139899811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review of Herbal Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Cancers in the East Africa Region from 2019 to 2023.","authors":"Ali Kudamba, Josephine N Kasolo, Godfrey S Bbosa, Allan Lugaajju, Henry Wabinga, Hussein M Kafeero, Jamilu E Ssenku, Shaban O Alemu, Abdul Walusansa, Nixon Niyonzima, Haruna Muwonge","doi":"10.1177/15347354241235583","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241235583","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The study aimed to compile and record the medicinal plants utilized in East Africa from April 2019 to June 2023 to treat various cancer types.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The study examined 13 original studies that included ethnobotanical research conducted in East Africa. They were retrieved from several internet databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Research for Life. The study retrieved databases on plant families and species, plant parts used, preparation methods and routes of administration, and the country where the ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted. Graphs were produced using the GraphPad Prism 8.125 program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA). Tables and figures were used to present the data, which had been condensed into percentages and frequencies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 105 different plant species from 45 different plant families were identified, including Asteraceae (14), Euphorbiaceae (12), Musaceae (8), and Apocynaceae (7). Uganda registered the highest proportion (46% of the medicinal plants used). The most commonly mentioned medicinal plant species in cancer management was <i>Prunus africana</i>. Herbs (32%), trees and shrubs (28%), and leaves (45%) constituted the majority of herbal remedies. Most herbal remedies were prepared by boiling (decoction) and taken orally (57%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>East Africa is home to a wide variety of medicinal plant species that local populations and herbalists, or TMP, frequently use in the treatment of various types of cancer. The most frequently used families are Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, with the majority of species being found in Uganda. The most frequently utilized plant species is <i>Prunus africana</i>. Studies on the effectiveness of <i>Prunus africana</i> against other malignancies besides prostate cancer are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10916491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140039261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Prospective Multi-Centered Registry-Based Observational Study for Patients With Cancer: Design and Rationale for Korean Medicine Cancer Registry (KMCARE).","authors":"Jee Young Lee, Hayun Jin, Su Bin Park, Eun Hye Kim, Jee-Hyun Yoon, Seong Woo Yoon","doi":"10.1177/15347354231223496","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354231223496","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in most countries with an expected increased burden on healthcare systems. Since integrative medical treatments are not collected within the scope of existing cancer registries, the establishment of the Korean Medicine Cancer Registry (KMCARE), gathering integrative therapies, including conservative care and Korean medicine, is warranted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study based on the registry will be conducted in 5 Korean medical hospitals. A total of 650 eligible participants undergoing Korean medicine treatments within 1 month of a diagnosis of lung, colorectal, stomach, or breast cancer are anticipated to be enrolled in the registry. Data collected in the KMCARE can be classified into patient information, received treatments, and outcomes. The primary outcome is the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Questionnaire score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Core and the Body Constitution Questionnaire at 3 and 6 months. After 6 months of follow-up periods, survival surveillance will be continued for additional 18 months. Descriptive and statistical analysis of primary and secondary outcomes, baseline data, safety, survival, and prognostic factors will be performed.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This is the first prospective, multi-centered, registry-based observational study of cancer patients in Korean medicine hospitals, which could reveal the current status of cancer patients receiving integrative cancer therapies, and provide better insight into the role of Korean medicine in palliative care for patients with cancer.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0007447.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10768608/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139097781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypothesis: Proteolytic Proenzymes Have a Role in the Ornish Program for Prostate Cancer.","authors":"Linda L Isaacs","doi":"10.1177/15347354241268230","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241268230","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11292674/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141855392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Experience of External Application of Clearing Heat and Removing Dampness in Relieving Grade 2 to 3 Rash Caused by Programed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1)/Programed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Inhibitors: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.","authors":"Shu-Yi Chen, Fang-Min Zhao, Rui Yu, Lin Sun, Yu-Dan Yin, Gao-Chen-Xi Zhang, Jia-Yao Yang, Qi-Jin Shu","doi":"10.1177/15347354231226108","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354231226108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>In China, grade 2 to 3 immune-related rash will probably lead to the interruption of immunotherapy. Corticosteroid (CS) is the main treatment, but not always effective. The external application of clearing heat and removing dampness, which is represented by Qing-Re-Li-Shi Formula (QRLSF), has been used in our hospital to treat immune-related cutaneous adverse events (ircAEs) for the last 5 years. The purpose of this study was to discuss its efficacy and safety in the treatment of grade 2 to 3 rash.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study of patients with grade 2 to 3 immune-related rash in our hospital from December 2019 to December 2022 was conducted. These patients received QRLSF treatment. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcome, and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty patients with grade 2 to 3 rash (median onset time: 64.5 days) were included. The skin lesions of 24 cases (80%) returned to grade 1 with a median time of 8 days. The accompanying symptoms were also improved with median time of 3 to 4 days. The addition of antihistamine (AH) drug didn't increase the efficacy of QRLSF (AH + QRLSF: 75.00% vs QRLSF: 83.33%, <i>P</i> = .66). No significant difference was observed in the efficacy of QRLSF treatment regardless of whether patients had previously received CS therapy (untreated population: 88.24% vs treated population: 69.23%, <i>P</i> = .36). During 1-month follow-up, 2 cases (8.33%) underwent relapses. In terms of HrQoL, QRLSF treatment could significantly reduce the median scores of all domains of Skindex-16, including symptoms (39.58 vs 8.33, <i>P</i> < .0001), emotions (58.33 vs 15.48, <i>P</i> < .0001), functioning (46.67 vs 13.33, <i>P</i> < .0001) and composite (52.60 vs 14.06, <i>P</i> < .0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>External application of clearing heat and removing dampness was proven to be an effective and safe treatment for such patients. In the future, high-quality trials are required to determine its clinical application in the field of ircAEs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10799584/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139491277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental Verification of Erchen Decoction Plus Huiyanzhuyu Decoction in the Treatment of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology.","authors":"Xi Tan, Qiulan Luo, Yiwei Hua, Shiqing Zhou, Guiyuan Peng, Renliang Zhu, Wenyong Chen, Yunying Li","doi":"10.1177/15347354241259182","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241259182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prescription of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) consists of multiple herbs that exhibit synergistic effects due to the presence of multiple components targeting various pathways. In clinical practice, the combination of Erchen decoction and Huiyanzhuyu decoction (EHD) has shown promising outcomes in treating patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, the underlying mechanism by which EHD exerts its therapeutic effects in LSCC remains unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Online databases were utilized for the analysis and prediction of the active constituents, targets, and key pathways associated with EHD in the treatment of LSCC. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of common targets was constructed and visualized using Cytoscape 3.8.1 software. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to investigate the functional roles of core targets within the PPI network. Protein clustering was conducted utilizing the MCODE plug-in. The obtained results highlight the principal targets and pathways involved. Subsequently, clinical samples were collected to validate alterations in the levels of these main targets through Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of EHD on healing LSCC and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Additionally, to ensure experimental reliability and reproducibility, quality control measures utilizing HPLC were implemented for EHD herbal medicine.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The retrieval and analysis of databases in EHD medicine and LSCC disease yielded a total of 116 overlapping targets. The MCODE plug-in methods were utilized to acquire 8 distinct protein clusters through protein clustering. The findings indicated that both the first and second clusters exhibited a size greater than 6 scores, with key genes <i>PI3K</i> and <i>ErbB</i> occupying central positions, while the third and fourth clusters were associated with proteins in the PI3K, STAT3, and Foxo pathways. GO functional analysis reported that these targets had associations mainly with the pathway of p53 mediated DNA damage and negative regulation of cell cycle in terms of biological function; the death-induced signaling complex in terms of cell function; transcription factor binding and protein kinase activity in terms of molecular function. The KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that these targets were correlated with several signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt, FoxO, and ErbB2 signaling pathway. On one hand, we observed higher levels of key genes such as <i>P-STAT3</i>, <i>P-PDK1</i>, <i>P-Akt</i>, <i>PI3K</i>, and <i>ErbB2</i> in LSCC tumor tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Conversely, FOXO3a expression was lower in LSCC tumor tissues. On the other hand, the key genes mentioned above were also highly expressed in both LS","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11159533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141283673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility and Usability of EnergyPoints: A Mobile Health App to Guide Acupressure Use for Cancer Symptom Management.","authors":"Susan L Beck, Ryan Smith, Janet Mindes, Karl Beck, JungYoon Leah Kim, Matthew Weitzman, Jennifer A M Stone, Susan Veleber, William N Dudley","doi":"10.1177/15347354231223965","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354231223965","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the feasibility and usability of EnergyPoints™, an innovative mobile health app that teaches and guides people with cancer to implement daily acupressure to self-manage their fatigue and sleep disturbances.</p><p><strong>Methods and intervention: </strong>The study used an integrated agile, human-centered approach. Adults (age 18 years and over) with cancer experiencing at least moderate fatigue, and living in the Greater New York City community, were recruited from social media, patient advocacy groups, and referrals. Twenty participants (in 3 sprints of 3, 5, and 12) were video-recorded thinking aloud while using the app for the first time. They then used the app at home to self-administer acupressure (twice daily for 1 week) while continuously wearing a fitness tracker. Each participant completed an exit interview and modified Computer System Usability Questionnaire post-participation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were ages 40 to 76 years and 65% female; 65% were non-Hispanic white. Mean pass rates per ritual exceeded 80%. Users completed (totally or partially) greater than 90% of stimulating acupressure and 70% of relaxing acupressure rituals. Sprint 3 SPs totally completed at least 1 ritual 87% of the time. The majority agreed or strongly agreed the app was easy to use (90%), easy to learn (85%), easy to understand (75%), and effective in helping perform self-acupressure (85%). In an analysis of ease of completing 5 key tasks, all successfully completed the tasks; 3 users required some assistance. Of 654 usability statements, those coded as personal experience/context (197), content related to acupressure learning (105), and content related to the onboarding/profile (71) were most frequent. The design team integrated recommendations into the app before the next sprint.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings supported feasibility and usability, as well as acceptability, and led to significant alterations and improvements. EnergyPoints™ offers an opportunity to mainstream acupressure and help cancer survivors self-manage their symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10826379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139570583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A single-item Expectancy Measure's Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness to Detect Changes in Clinical Efficacy Studies of Integrative Cancer Therapies: A Methodology Study.","authors":"Anna Efverman","doi":"10.1177/15347354241273944","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15347354241273944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Expectations may modify outcomes. However, studies often fail to measure expectations. This raises the need for a brief valid and reliable expectancy measure.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To study treatment expectations in individuals entering acupuncture or rest, validity and test re-test reliability of a single-item expectancy measure graded on a category scale, a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and to identify psychometric differences between the scales.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this methodology study, treatment expectations were measured in 363 participants before they received acupuncture (genuine traditional penetrating or non-penetrating telescopic sham acupuncture, n = 239, 98%, responded) or a control treatment involving just rest (n = 120, 100%, responded), aimed to improve level of relaxation. A treatment expectancy measure, graded on a five-grade category scale, an eight-grade NRS and a 100 mm VAS, was tested for test re-test reliability. Level of expectation and relaxation was measured at baseline, pre- and post-therapy (n = 729 expectancy measurements).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants scheduled for acupuncture or rest believed moderately (Inter Quartile Range, IQR, moderately-much) and much (IQR moderately-much) the treatment to be effective. The Intra-Class Correlation coefficient versus Kappa coefficient between test and re-test was .868/.868 for the category scale, .820/.820 for the NRS, and .856/.854 for the VAS. The middle step \"Believe moderately the treatment to be effective\" was equivalent with median 4 (IQR, 3-4) on NRS and median 52 mm (IQR 42-52) on VAS. The response rates were 708 (97%) on the category scale, 707 (97%) on the NRS, and 703 (96%) on the VAS. All three scales discriminated that pre-therapy expectations were more positive in the individuals who reported an improvement in relaxation level (<i>P</i> < .001-.003). The VAS presented higher responsiveness to detect expectancy changes over time (71% increased expectation), compared to the NRS (52% increased) and the category scale (12% increased), <i>P</i> < .001.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Individuals entering acupuncture, or a control intervention, presented positive treatment expectations, and the expectancy measure presented satisfactory reliability, validity, high response rates, sensitiveness, and responsiveness. Integrative cancer therapy researchers who want to control for expectancy-related bias in clinical trials should consider measuring expectation using the single-item expectancy measure.</p>","PeriodicalId":13734,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Cancer Therapies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11339744/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142008699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}