TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bernardini, Simonetta
AU  - Cracolici, Franco
AU  - Bechini, Francesca
AU  - Ferreri, Rosaria
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/02/01
TI  - Integrated Oncology in an Integrated Medicine Hospital in Pitigliano (Grosseto, Italy)
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 008
VL  - 04
IS  - 01
AB  - Background. Complementary medicines (CM: homeopathy and acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine) have been introduced for cancer patients under treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the Pitigliano Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine to minimize the side effects of these treatments, improving quality of life and adherence to conventional therapies. 
Methods. Two hundred and forty cancer patients were enrolled in an integrated care model offering a comprehensive protocol including homeopathy and acupuncture, provided in line with the stage of the disease as well as in consideration of any comorbidities in individual patients.
The following parameters were collected at the beginning and after 1-2 months of the integrated therapies: SF-12 quality of life (QoL) questionnaire; Edmonton symptom assessment scale (ESAS); Questionnaire on the use of conventional medications. 
Results. There was a 92.4% reduction in symptoms (as monitored by ESAS) caused by the patient’s disease or by comorbidities. The SF-12 revealed reduced fatigue and increased wellness, as well as good adherence to the cancer treatments and a reduction in the use of conventional medications for side effects, good control of cancer symptoms and an improved QoL. 
Conclusions. This study suggests the use of complementary medicines to reduce  therapy related symptoms  in oncologic patients, without any adverse affectcs and to reduce the use of conventional drugs in this case .
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1901008
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.1901008
ID  - Bernardini2019
ER  -