Mind-Body Treatments for the Pain-Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance Symptom Cluster

Full Title: Mind-Body Treatments for the Pain-Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance Symptom Cluster in Persons with Cancer

CONTEXT: Co-occurring pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance comprise a common symptom cluster in patients with cancer. Treatment approaches that target the cluster of symptoms rather than just a single symptom need to be identified and tested. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence regarding mind-body interventions that have shown efficacy in treating two or more symptoms in the pain-fatigue-sleep disturbance cancer symptom cluster. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, Medline, and PsychInfo databases through March 2009. Studies were categorized based on the type of mind-body intervention (relaxation, imagery/hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy/coping skills training [CBT/CST], meditation, music, and virtual reality), and a preliminary review was conducted with respect to efficacy for pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Mind-body interventions were selected for review if there was evidence of efficacy for at least two of the three symptoms. Forty-three studies addressing five types of mind-body interventions met criteria and are summarized in this review. RESULTS: Imagery/hypnosis and CBT/CST interventions have produced improvement in all the three cancer-related symptoms individually: pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Relaxation has resulted in improvements in pain and sleep disturbance. Meditation interventions have demonstrated beneficial effects on fatigue and sleep disturbance. Music interventions have demonstrated efficacy for pain and fatigue. No trials were found that tested the mind-body interventions specifically for the pain-fatigue-sleep disturbance symptom cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy studies are needed to test the impact of relaxation, imagery/hypnosis, CBT/CST, meditation, and music interventions in persons with cancer experiencing concurrent pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. These mind-body interventions could help patients manage all the symptoms in the cluster with a single treatment strategy.

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Nov 7. Kwekkeboom KL, Cherwin CH, Lee JW, Wanta B. School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.






Posted: 12/29/2009

Bookmark and Share

This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Manage Anger

Manage Anger!My hypnosis sessions can be the answer you’ve been looking for.Deactivate triggers and put you back in control of your life. Live your life without the fear of losing control & deal with confrontations in a mature and level-headed way.

Assertiveness

Hypnosis is extremely effective in increasing self confidence issues because assertiveness, or lack of it, is a learned behavior.In session your mind is given suggestions so that you’ll be able to release anxieties associated with being assertive.

Freedom from Bullying

Do you lack the confidence to address bullying, and to report those who bully?Diffuse The Power Of Bullies!This hypnosis session will give you calming anchors to use so that you can respond with perspective and self assurance.
Home Who we are Services Contact Us FAQ Links