CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Ms. Jennifer Rheingans is a nurse educator for pediatrics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida. In the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing she reviews nonpharmacological therapies as a potential source of assistance for children with symptoms due to cancer treatment.
Symptoms and CAM options are listed below.
Before recommending or requesting these treatments, become familiar with the supporting research she discusses in the article. In many cases support is limited to one study or simply a report of one patient’s experience.
Distress
- Distraction and hypnosis
Nausea/vomiting
- Acupuncture
- Distraction with video games
- Hypnosis
- Self-hypnosis
Procedural anxiety.
- Age-appropriate humor
- Breathing and distraction
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Distraction
- Hypnosis
Procedural distress
- Art therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Combined breathing, distraction, imagery, and play
- Distraction
- General relaxation techniques
- Hypnosis
- Nonessential touch by nurses (eg, soothing, nonmedical touch during lumbar punctures)
Procedural pain
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Distraction via virtual reality
- Distraction/relaxation
- Hypnosis
- Self-hypnosis
The bottom line?
Symptom management in pediatric oncology remains a problem. Ms. Rheingan’s review challenges residents, fellows, and students to contribute original research findings to this healthcare issue.
5/6/07 15:23 JR
