[Complementary and integrative medicine in cancer-related fatigue].

The majority of cancer patients experience fatigue during the course of their illness. Fatigue should not be seen as an inevitable consequence of cancer and its treatment. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a multidimensional symptom complex that is influenced by a variety of factors.

Acupuncture improves chemotherapy-induced neuropathy explored by neurophysiological and clinical outcomes - The randomized, controlled, cross-over ACUCIN trial.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is recognized as the second commonest side effect after chemotherapy. Besides neurological deficits and pain, it is a potential reason for terminating chemotherapy. Effective curative treatments of neurodegeneration are lacking.

Naturopathy, complementary and integrative medicine in medical education - position paper by the GMA Committee Integrative Medicine and Perspective Pluralism.

Background: A large part of the population in Germany makes use of naturopathic, complementary and integrative medical treatments. There are now numerous scientific studies that provide evidence of efficacy for certain indications. At German medical faculties, selected procedures and their application are taught within the cross-sectoral unit called QB 12 and some elective courses, with a focus on specific aspects are offered.

Experiences and views of different key stakeholders on the feasibility of treating cancer-related fatigue.

Background: Although cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has gained increased attention in the past decade, therapy remains a challenge. Treatment programs are more likely to be effective if the needs and interests of the persons involved are well represented. This can be achieved by stakeholder engagement.

[Mistletoe in the treatment of cancer patients].

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) continues to be the medical herb prescribed most frequently for cancer patients in German-speaking countries. Demand for this therapy often comes from patients themselves and requires careful consideration by the attending physician during consultation.

Developing an Integrative Treatment Program for Cancer-Related Fatigue Using Stakeholder Engagement - A Qualitative Study.

Background: Although cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has gained increased attention in the past decade, it remains difficult to treat. An integrative approach combining conventional and complementary medicine interventions seems highly promising. Treatment programs are more likely to be effective if the needs and interests of the people involved are well represented.

Alteration of anti-inflammatory activity of Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw) extract after external metabolic activation with S9 mix.

Objectives: Extracts of the tubers of Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw, DC) inhibit different proinflammatory mediators important in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Many plant-derived preparations interfere with cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, which influence their different biological activities. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of an external metabolic activation of a DC extract on the cytotoxicity and the release of proinflammatory cytokines.

A survey of chinese medicinal herbal treatment for chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Oral mucositis is one of the common side effects of chemotherapy treatment with potentially severe implications. Despite several treatment approaches by conventional and complementary western medicine, the therapeutic outcome is often not satisfactory. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers empirical herbal formulas for the treatment of oral ulceration which are used in adaptation to chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

Can medical herbs stimulate regeneration or neuroprotection and treat neuropathic pain in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy?

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) has a relevant impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. There are no curative conventional treatments, so further options have to be investigated. We conducted a systematic review in English and Chinese language databases to illuminate the role of medical herbs.

Preliminary data of a HAMD-17 validated symptom scale derived from the ICD-10 to diagnose depression in outpatients.

Background: In outpatient settings diagnostic classification of depressive symptoms is mostly descriptive based on ICD-10. Depending on clinical experience and consultation time, diagnosis can be verified by validated scales. However, physicians working in primary care are familiar with ICD-10 criteria.

A homeopathic remedy from arnica, marigold, St. John's wort and comfrey accelerates in vitro wound scratch closure of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

Background: Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro.

Phytodolor® in musculoskeletal disorders: re-analysis and meta-analysis.

Background: Treatment of rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders (MD) is multi-disciplinary and includes herbal analgesics. Although already reviewed, no quantitative evaluation of efficacy and safety of the herbal combination Phytodolor® (STW1) is available.

Methods: We searched in databases and contacted authors and the manufacturer to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining STW1 in patients with MD.

An exploratory study on the quality of life and individual coping of cancer patients during mistletoe therapy.

Background: Although several clinical studies have shown that mistletoe therapy (MT, Viscum album) may improve cancer patients' quality-of-life (QoL), qualitative information on the improvement's nature is still lacking.

Design: This exploratory, prospective, cohort-study comprised 25 patients with different types of cancer. The patients filled in the EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.

Classical homeopathy in the treatment of cancer patients--a prospective observational study of two independent cohorts.

Background: Many cancer patients seek homeopathy as a complementary therapy. It has rarely been studied systematically, whether homeopathic care is of benefit for cancer patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study with cancer patients in two differently treated cohorts: one cohort with patients under complementary homeopathic treatment (HG; n = 259), and one cohort with conventionally treated cancer patients (CG; n = 380).

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients with climacteric complaints - a prospective observational study.

Objective: The antihormonal therapy of breast cancer patients with the antiestrogen tamoxifen often induces or aggravates menopausal complaints. As estrogen substitution is contraindicated, herbal alternatives, e.g.

Enhanced in vitro activation of immunocompetent cells in healthy individuals being subcutaneously 'vaccinated' with placebo (physiological saline).

The effect of subcutaneous injection of physiological saline (given as 'placebo' in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study) on immunocompetent cells from healthy individuals was analyzed. In two studies in 1998/1999 and 2002, 16 and 13 healthy individuals, respectively, were injected subcutaneously with 1 ml physiological saline twice a week for up to 12 weeks. Lymphocytes were isolated before and during exposure and incubated with recall antigens (purified protein derivative [PPD], tetanus toxoid [TT], bacillus Calmette-Guerin [BCG]).

Tormentil for active ulcerative colitis: an open-label, dose-escalating study.

Background: Tormentil extracts (TE) have antioxidative properties and are used as a complementary therapy for chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In individual patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) positive effects have been observed.

Goals: To assess the safety, pharmacology, and clinical effects of different doses of TE in patients with active UC.

Immunologic effects of mistletoe lectins: a placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects.

The subcutaneous application of lectin-rich mistletoe preparations such as Iscador Quercus (IQ; Weleda Company, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany) results in a peripheral eosinophilia. Our goal was to investigate whether this effect is related to mistletoe lectin (ML) and whether it is caused by a response of the specific immune system. In a double-blinded study, 43 volunteers were randomized to one of four treatment groups: (1) IQ, (2) ML that was derived from IQ, (3) IQ that was depleted of ML, and (4) placebo.