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Aromatherapy, Physical and Movement-based Therapies on Symptom Management for Cancer Patients

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Evidence-based Non-pharmacological Therapies for Palliative Cancer Care

Part of the book series: Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine ((ACAM,volume 4))

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Abstract

Aromatherapy, physical and movement-based therapies have been used for centuries to promote health and well-being and manage both physical and psychological conditions. A large number of cancer patients have diminished levels of physical activity and suffer from various types of discomfort, including constipation, shortness of breath, anxiety, negative mood states, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Randomized controlled trials provide evidence for the use of aromatherapy massage to reduce anxiety, relieve constipation, and improve quality of life, though trials investigating the use of the respiratory administration of aromatherapy among cancer patients have found limited use during radiation therapy and stem cell transplantation. Emerging evidence supports a variety of physical and movement-based therapies for relieving fatigue and improving quality of life, physical conditioning, and aerobic capacity among cancer patients. This chapter summarizes the evidence on the effectiveness of aromatherapy and select physical and movement-based therapies for use as supportive care for cancer patients. Actual case scenarios provide examples for integrating these therapies into clinical oncology care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrative Therapies Program, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Columbia University Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, 7th Floor, Room 728, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Deborah H. Ndao, Michelle Bombacie & Diane Rooney

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  1. Deborah H. Ndao
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  2. Michelle Bombacie
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  3. Diane Rooney
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Correspondence to Deborah H. Ndao .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

    William C.S. Cho

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Ndao, D.H., Bombacie, M., Rooney, D. (2013). Aromatherapy, Physical and Movement-based Therapies on Symptom Management for Cancer Patients. In: Cho, W. (eds) Evidence-based Non-pharmacological Therapies for Palliative Cancer Care. Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5833-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5833-9_9

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