Providing integrative care in the pre-chemotherapy setting: a pragmatic controlled patient-centered trial with implications for supportive cancer care.

Context And Objectives: To examine the impact of a complementary/integrative medicine (CIM) program on quality of life (QoL)-related concerns among patients scheduled for chemotherapy for breast and gynecologic cancer.

Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients were referred by their oncology healthcare professional to an integrative oncology program, where CIM is provided as part of palliative/supportive care. CIM treatments were tailored to patients' preferences and leading concerns, and for most included acupuncture and mind-body-spirit modalities, which were usually co-administered in the week preceding the first chemotherapy cycle.