A promising future in cancer immunotherapy: Oncolytic viruses

Alongside the conventional methods, attention has been drawn to the use of immunotherapy-based methods for cancer treatment. Immunotherapy has developed as a therapeutic option that can be more specific with better outcomes in tumor treatment. It can boost or regulate the immune system behind the targeted virotherapy. Virotherapy is a kind of oncolytic immunotherapy that investigated broadly in cancer treatment in recent decades, due to its several advantages. According to recent advance in the field of understanding cancer cell biology and its occurrence, as well as increasing the knowledge about conditionally replicating oncolytic viruses and their destructive function in the tumor cells, nowadays, it is possible to apply this strategy in the treatment of malignancies. Relying on achievements in clinical trials of oncolytic viruses, we can certainly expect that this therapeutic perception can play a more central role in cancer treatment. In cancer treatment, combination therapy using oncolytic viruses alongside standard cancer treatment methods and other immunotherapy-based treatments can expect more promising results in the future.

The Anthroposophic Artistic Movement Assessment for Eurythmy Therapy (AART-ASSESS-EuMove). A validation study

OBJECTIVE

Eurythmy Therapy (ET) is a mindfulness oriented therapy developed in the context of anthroposophic medicine. Despite commonly used in practice, it remains unclear whether active participation (Inner Correspondence) during ET can be observed in eurythmy gestures (EGest). So far, no validated peer-report instrument to evaluate EGest exists.

METHOD

To validate an 83-item ET peer-report scale, a nested study on a sample of n = 82 breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue was conducted. EGest were evaluated twice, at baseline and at 10-week follow-up, by peer-reports from two separate therapists. Interrater-reliability (IRR) was estimated by Cohen's weighted kappa (κw) across all items. Additionally, reliability-(RA) and principal component analyses (PCA) were conducted. Patients completed two self-report scales: Satisfaction with ET (SET) and Inner Correspondence with the Movement Therapy (ICPH).

RESULTS

IRR was greater than or equal (κw ≥ 0.25) for 41 items (49.3%) with a mean weighted kappa of κ̅w = 0.40 (SD = 0.17, range = 0.25-0.85). RA resulted in the exclusion of 25 items with insufficient item-total correlations < 0.40. A PCA with 16 items revealed 3 subscales: 1. Mindfulness in Movement (8 items), 2. Motor Skills (5 items), 3. Walking Pattern (3items) explaining 63.86% of total variance. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was high for the sum score with α = 0.89 and for the subscales with α = 0.88, 0.86 and 0.84 respectively. Significant small to moderate subscale correlations were found ranging from r = 0.29-0.63 (all p < 0.01). Mindfulness in Movement correlated with Inner Correspondence (r = 0.32) and with Satisfaction with ET (r = - 0.25, both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The new AART-ASSESS-EuMove is the first consistent and reliable peer-report instrument to evaluate EGest. It shows associations between peer-reported Mindful Movement and patients' self-reported ICPH and SET.

Four-year follow-up on fatigue and sleep quality of a three-armed partly randomized controlled study in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a frequent long-term symptom in non-metastasized breast cancer patients (BC). This 4-year follow-up intended to compare the long-term effects of a 10-week multimodal therapy (MT: sleep education, psychoeducation, eurythmy- and painting therapy) and combination therapy [CT: MT plus aerobic training (AT)] to AT-control. BC-patients were randomized or allocated by preference to three arms in a comprehensive cohort study. Primary outcome was a composite score including Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS-D), captured at baseline, after 10 weeks of intervention (T1), 6 months later (T2), and after 4 years (T3). We exploratively tested for superiority of MT and CT versus AT after 4 years (T3) based on the statistical model of the main analysis. Of 126 (65 randomized) BC-patients included, 105 started treatments and 79 were re-assessed for long-term effects (T3). MT and CT were superior over AT after 4 years regarding PSQI/CFS-D and PSQI sum-score, respectively (all p < 0.05), but not for CFS-D. The multimodal and combination treatment for breast cancer patients with CRF indicates sustainable long-term superiority over aerobic training for the outcomes sleep quality and combined sleep quality/fatigue. A confirmative randomized controlled trial is warranted.

The Anthroposophic Art Therapy Assessment Paint (AART-ASSESS-P): A peer-report instrument to assess patients' pictorial expression during Anthroposophic Painting Therapy

OBJECTIVE

Anthroposophic painting therapy (APT) is a specific form of art therapy that aims to activate self-healing capacities through painting aquarelles.

METHODS

The Anthroposophic Art Therapy Assessment-Paint' (AART-ASSESS-P) was developed to measure pictorial expression and validated in the framework of a comprehensive cohort design study. The validation study examined 68 breast cancer patients with fatigue. Art therapists made pre- and post-assessments of spontaneously drawn water-color paintings with a preliminary version of the AART-ASSESS-P (58 items). Inter-rater reliability (IRR) for the items was examined with Cohen's weighted Kappa (κw). Additionally, a reliability- and factor analysis (FA) were conducted. Convergence criteria were patients' self-report measures: the Satisfaction with Painting Therapy, Inner Correspondence with Painting Therapy and the Self-Regulation Questionnaire.

RESULTS

IRR for the items was heterogeneous (κ_w= 0.09-0.89, Mean κ_w= 0.40, SD = 0.17). Thirty-six items were excluded due to insufficient IRR and item-total correlation (κ_w= < 0.30, ρ_item-total< 0.30). A FA with 22 items revealed 5 subscales: Shape Development (6 items), Shape Arrangement (6 items), Order and Symmetry (5 items), Color Application (3 items), and Color Quality (2 items) explaining 61% of total variance. Psychometric properties for the AART-ASSESS-P were satisfying with Cronbach's alpha coefficients (r_α = 0.60-0.81) across subscales. Due to weak inter-subscale correlations (r = 0.18-0.48, p < 0.05) and the ambiguity of face validity a sum-score was not formed. Correlations between subscales and self-reports were small (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The AART-ASSESS-P is the first reliable instrument to measure pictorial expression during APT.

Eurythmy therapy versus slow movement fitness in the treatment of fatigue in metastatic breast cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most taxing symptom for many breast cancer patients during and after therapy. In patients with metastatic disease, the prevalence of CRF exceeds 75%. Currently, there is no gold standard for the treatment of CRF. Physical activity can reduce CRF and is recommended during and after cancer treatment, but may be too burdensome for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the effect on fatigue of eurythmy therapy (ERYT) compared to slow movement fitness (CoordiFit) in metastatic breast cancer patients.

METHODS

The ERYT/CoordiFit study is a randomized controlled, open-label, two-arm, multi-center Swiss clinical trial. A sample of 196 patients presenting with CRF will be recruited by oncologists from the departments of clinical oncology at each local study site. All participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The control group is an active control intervention (CoordiFit) in order to control for potential non-intended effects such as therapist-patient interaction and participation in a program. Both ERYT and CoordiFit exercises are easy to learn, and the training sessions will follow the same frequency and duration schedule, i.e., 13 standardized therapy sessions of 45 min (once a week for 6 weeks and then once every second week) during the total intervention period of 20 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study is the change from baseline over the whole intervention period (i.e., including measurements at baseline, weeks 8, 14, and 20) in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F) subscale score.

DISCUSSION

This study is the first-known randomized clinical trial assessing eurythmy therapy in the treatment of fatigue in metastatic breast cancer patients. Given the distress that fatigue causes patients, it is important to validate treatment options. If eurythmy therapy proves beneficial in CRF as part of this randomized controlled clinical trial, the study may be very impactful with implications not only for metastatic breast cancer patients but also for other cancer patients, health care personnel, scientists, and funding and regulatory bodies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The ERYT/CoordiFit trial was registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) on July 18, 2019, #NCT04024267 , and in the portal for human research in Switzerland on December 3, 2019, #SNCTP000003525 .

Impact of a Multimodal and Combination Therapy on Self-Regulation and Internal Coherence in German Breast Cancer Survivors With Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Mixed-Method Comprehensive Cohort Design Study

Background: Recent studies have proved the relevance of salutogenetic variables for fatigue management in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). This comprehensive cohort design study is the first to examine the impact of 2 multimodal therapies, multimodal therapy (MT) and combined therapy (CT), compared with standard aerobic training (AT) on salutogenetic variables (self-regulation and internal coherence) and distress in breast cancer survivors with CRF. Methods: A total of 105 patients started the therapies and n = 84 completed the Self-regulation Scale, the Internal Coherence Scale, the Cancer Fatigue Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 10 weeks after treatment (T1) and n = 81 after 6 months (T2). Patient satisfaction and qualitative feedback regarding therapy quality was assessed at T1. A general linear model including allocation type, therapy arm (MT/CT/AT), and bias-adjusting propensity scores tested the superiority of both multimodal therapies versus AT for all questionnaires at T1 and T2. Results: MT and CT were superior to AT to improve self-regulation and patients' satisfaction at T1. Additionally, CT showed superiority for self-regulation at T2 (all P < .05). Compared with AT, internal coherence was significantly higher for patients in the MT arms at T2, respectively (all P < .01). Pearson's correlations between self-regulation, internal coherence, and CRF improved from baseline to T2 (Mean r = -0.60). Qualitative feedback confirmed patients' benefits in several health-related categories. Conclusions: Self-regulation and internal coherence are manipulable variables with relevant CRF associations. They can be positively affected by multimodal therapies. Alongside patients' satisfaction and qualitative feedback they help refine treatment.

The effect of eurhythmy therapy on self-determination, health complaints and psychological symptoms: A non-randomised trial

OBJECTIVES

To study healthcare quality improvement through Eurhythmy Therapy (EYT) relative to treatment as usual without EYT.

DESIGN

Pre/post-follow-up analysis with a comparison group.

SETTING

Patients of 13 eurhythmy therapists and people with similar physical or psychological health complaints. Respondents' mean age was 60 years (SD = 13.83).

INTERVENTION

EYT-sessions for the complaint versus treatment as usual.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-determination (BPNSFS); health complaint (1 item); sleeping problems (SCL-90); psychological symptoms and work/study dysfunction (SQ-48) at pre-measure (t0), post-measure (t1) and one-month follow-up (t2).

RESULTS

A small positive effect of EYT on self-determination (eta² = .08) and a medium negative effect of EYT on health complaints at t1 and t2 (η²_p = .24 and .22). The effect of EYT was n.s. on sleeping problems, n.s. on psychological symptoms and medium negative n.s. on work/study dysfunction, the last within a small sample size (n < 30; eta² = .13).

CONCLUSIONS

EYT-participants (n = 38) improved more on self-determination, health complaints and probably also on work/study dysfunction than the comparison group (n = 42), but not on sleeping problems and psychological symptoms. Results should be treated with caution, because the comparison group is not comparable to the EYT-group in the motivation to engage in EYT and the sample size was small.

Reliability and first validity of the inner correspondence questionnaire for painting therapy (ICPTh) in a sample of breast cancer patients

Objectives Art therapy (ArT) such as mindfulness-oriented painting therapy is increasingly used in psychosomatic, oncological integrative and rehabilitative medicine. Though it remains unknown how ArT works, we hypothesize that an engaged participation with painting ('Inner-Correspondence') contributes to improved symptom scores. In the context of a comprehensive cohort study for breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue, we developed a patient-reported outcome measure to assess 'Inner Correspondence' with painting therapy and conducted a first validation study. Design A 24-item questionnaire on 'Inner Correspondence' (ICPTh) was administered after ten weeks of intervention and at six month followup together with concurrent scales (Inner Correspondence and Peaceful Harmony, Cancer Fatigue Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Internal Coherence Scale). Statistical assessment included reliability- and factor analyses. Results A total of n = 68 BC (mean age, 58.2 years, SD = 8.7) participated in the preliminary validation study. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a robust 22-item scale with an unambiguous four-factor solution explaining 78% of total variance and the following subsales: 1) therapy congruence and relaxation (11 items), 2) inner development and mood (6 items), 3) artistic skill (3 items) and 4) task congruence (2 items). The 22-item ICPTh yielded high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .966, item-total correlation = .497 - .883, test-retest reliability = .888). Conclusions We present a reliable instrument to measure 'Inner Correspondence' with painting therapy. Due to the small sample size and sample selection further validation studies are indicated.

Influence of a Multimodal and Multimodal-Aerobic Therapy Concept on Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

CONTEXT

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most burdensome symptoms in breast cancer survivors (BCSs), accompanied by reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the influence of a multimodal therapy (MT; psychoeducation, eurythmy therapy, painting therapy, and sleep education/restriction), or a combination therapy (CT; MT plus aerobic training [AT]) on HRQOL in BCS with chronic CRF in comparison with AT alone.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-six BCSs with CRF were included in a pragmatic comprehensive cohort study and allocated either per randomization or by preference to MT, CT, or AT. The EORTC QLQ-C30 core questionnaire was used to measure HRQOL. All analyses on HRQOL parameters were done in an explorative intention.

RESULTS

Patients were assigned to MT (n = 44), CT (n = 54), or AT (n = 28). CT was significantly superior to AT after 10 weeks of intervention (T1) in improving physical function. MT was found to have significant superiority over AT at T1 and T2 for physical functioning, emotional functioning, insomnia, and financial problems as well as role functioning, cognitive, social functioning, and fatigue 6 months later (T2).

CONCLUSION

A multimodal approach appears to be a suitable concept for BCS with chronic CRF. A confirmatory study with larger samples should demonstrate the superiority of MT and adapted CT in HRQOL compared with the current treatment AT found in these explorative analyses.

Impact of a combined multimodal-aerobic and multimodal intervention compared to standard aerobic treatment in breast cancer survivors with chronic cancer-related fatigue - results of a three-armed pragmatic trial in a comprehensive cohort design

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and insomnia are major complaints in breast cancer survivors (BC). Aerobic training (AT), the standard therapy for CRF in BC, shows only minor to moderate treatment effects. Other evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, e.g., sleep education/restriction (SE) and mindfulness-based therapies. We investigated the effectiveness of a 10-week multimodal program (MT) consisting of SE, psycho-education, eurythmy- and painting-therapy, administered separately or in combination with AT (CT) and compared both arms to AT alone.

METHODS

In a pragmatic comprehensive cohort study BC with chronic CRF were allocated randomly or by patient preference to (a) MT, (b) CT (MT + AT) or (c) AT alone. Primary endpoint was a composite score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Cancer Fatigue Scale after 10 weeks of intervention (T1); a second endpoint was a follow-up assessment 6 months later (T2). The primary hypothesis stated superiority of CT and non-inferiority of MT vs. AT at T1. A closed testing procedure preserved the global α-level. The intention-to-treat analysis included propensity scores for the mode of allocation and for the preferred treatment, respectively.

RESULTS

Altogether 126 BC were recruited: 65 were randomized and 61 allocated by preference; 105 started the intervention. Socio-demographic parameters were generally balanced at baseline. Non-inferiority of MT to AT at T1 was confirmed (p < 0.05), yet the confirmative analysis stopped as it was not possible to confirm superiority of CT vs. AT (p = 0.119). In consecutive exploratory analyses MT and CT were superior to AT at T1 and T2 (MT) or T2 alone (CT), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The multimodal CRF-therapy was found to be confirmatively non-inferior to standard therapy and even yielded exploratively sustained superiority. A randomized controlled trial including a larger sample size and a longer follow-up to evaluate multimodal CRF-therapy is highly warranted.

TRIAL REGISTER

DRKS-ID: DRKS00003736 . Recruitment period June 2011 to March 2013. Date of registering 19 June 2012.

Add-On Complementary Medicine in Cancer Care: Evidence in Literature and Experiences of Integration

Background: According to the literature an increasing number of cancer patients demand for complementary therapies during their disease. Research has demonstrated that some of these therapies are effective and safe as adjunctive treatments in specific symptoms of these patients. Methods: The aims of the paper are to review the main and recent papers of international literature on the effectiveness of complementary medicine (CM) therapies on side effects of anti-cancer protocols and improvement in the quality of life of oncological patients, and to describe the integration of evidence-based acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy treatments in Public Cancer Network of the region of Tuscany. Results: After the review of literature and the approval of a Regional Resolution, some CM will be introduced in Cancer Departments in Tuscany to additionally treat cancer-related symptoms and side effects of conventional cancer therapy: acupuncture for nausea and post-chemotherapy and post-surgery vomiting, pain, hot flashes of iatrogenic menopause, xerostomia; homeopathy for hot flashes of iatrogenic menopause and the side effects of radiotherapy; herbal medicine for cancer-related fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, mucositis, anxiety, and depression. Conclusions: The integration of evidence-based complementary treatments allows for an effective response to the demand coming from cancer patients and combines safety and equity of access in public health systems.

The questionnaire on autonomic regulation: a useful concept for integrative medicine?

The concept of autonomic regulation (aR) reflects the relevance of the function of different autonomic systems for health. aR can be captured by questionnaires. We differentiate between a trait or constitutional aR questionnaire version including 12 (short-version) or 18 items, respectively, with three subscales (orthostatic-circulatory, rest/activity and digestive regulation), and an 18-item state aR questionnaire on the preceding week with four subscales (rest/activity, orthostatic-circulatory, thermo- and digestive regulation). The validated questionnaires show satisfying to good reliability and robust validity with clear construct validity. In this article, we summarized the actually available literature on aR and the use of aR questionnaires in clinical and observational studies. We described the relationship of high aR with health and in case of low aR or loss of regulation with disease and functional disorder in the three (four) different subscales and functional systems, such as rest/activity, orthostatic-circulatory or digestive regulation (thermoregulation) with the consecutive therapeutic need. Finally, we gave perspectives of its further application in clinical research.

Interventions for cancer-related fatigue: a scoping review

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common and can be distressing for some survivors. There is increasing interest in measuring levels of CRF, highlighting its impact on quality of life. This review describes the nature and scope of evidence relating to interventions for CRF. Scoping review methodology was used to identify studies, extract data, collate and summarise results. Data were collated according to cancer tumour streams, stage of illness and the types of trial interventions. A total of 447 trials and 37 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Nine papers reported longitudinal results. Populations studied were predominantly of mixed cancer diagnoses and breast cancer. The most frequent interventions were exercise, pharmacological, psycho-education and mind-body interventions. Fatigue was identified as a primary outcome measure (OM) in 58% of studies, with 58 different fatigue measures reported. Emerging evidence exists for the effectiveness of fatigue interventions for some cancer types. More research on interventions with participants with the same cancer type and illness phase is needed. Measurement of severity and impact of CRF using fewer, robust OMs will permit comparisons across studies.

Putting evidence into practice: an update of evidence-based interventions for cancer-related fatigue during and following treatment

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has deleterious effects on physical, social, cognitive, and vocational functioning, and causes emotional and spiritual distress for patients and their families; however, it remains under-recognized and undertreated. This article critically reviews and integrates the available empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment approaches to CRF, highlighting new evidence since 2007 and 2009 Putting Evidence Into Practice publications. Interventions that are recommended for practice or likely to be effective in improving fatigue outcomes include exercise; screening for treatable risk factors; management of concurrent symptoms; yoga; structured rehabilitation; Wisconsin ginseng; cognitive-behavioral therapies for insomnia, pain, and depression; mindfulness-based stress reduction; and psychoeducational interventions such as anticipatory guidance, psychosocial support, and energy conservation and activity management. This information can be applied to improve the management of CRF, inform health policy and program development, shape the design of clinical trials of new therapies for CRF, and drive basic and translational research.

Screening, evaluation, and management of cancer-related fatigue: Ready for implementation to practice?

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE Evidence regarding cancer-related fatigue (fatigue) has accumulated sufficiently such that recommendations for screening, evaluation, and/or management have been released recently by 4 leading cancer organizations. These evidence-based fatigue recommendations are available for clinicians, and some have patient versions; but barriers at the patient, clinician, and system levels hinder dissemination and implementation into practice. The underlying biologic mechanisms for this debilitating symptom have not been elucidated completely, hindering the development of mechanistically driven interventions. However, significant progress has been made toward methods for screening and comprehensively evaluating fatigue and other common symptoms using reliable and valid self-report measures. Limited data exist to support the use of any pharmacologic agent; however, several nonpharmacologic interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing fatigue in adults. Never before have evidence-based recommendations for fatigue management been disseminated by 4 premier cancer organizations (the National Comprehensive Cancer, the Oncology Nursing Society, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer/Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology). Clinicians may ask: Are we ready for implementation into practice? The reply: A variety of approaches to screening, evaluation, and management are ready for implementation. To reduce fatigue severity and distress and its impact on functioning, intensified collaborations and close partnerships between clinicians and researchers are needed, with an emphasis on system-wide efforts to disseminate and implement these evidence-based recommendations.

Do we have predictors of therapy responsiveness for a multimodal therapy concept and aerobic training in breast cancer survivors with chronic cancer-related fatigue?

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a burdensome symptom for breast cancer (BC) patients. In this pilot study, we tested several questionnaires as predictors for treatment responsiveness, along with the implementation of a multimodal therapy concept consisting of sleep, psycho-education, eurythmy, painting therapy and standard aerobic training. At the Community Hospital Havelhöhe and the Hannover Medical School, 31 BC patients suffering from CRF could be evaluated in a 10-week intervention study. CRF was assessed by the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS-D). Further questionnaires were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the autonomic regulation scale, Self-Regulation Scale (SRS), the Internal Coherence Scale (ICS) and the European Organization of Research and Treatment Health-Related Quality of Life Core Questionnaire scale. We estimated the regression coefficients of all scales on CFS-D by simple and multiple linear regression analyses and compared regression slopes and variances between the different questionnaires on CFS-D at the end of treatment. We found a significant impact of SRS and ICS at baseline on CFS-D at the end of the intervention [absolute standardised multiple regression coefficient values ranging from 0.319 (SRS) to 0.269 (ICS)] but not for the other questionnaires. In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that the SRS or ICS measuring adaptive capacities could be more appropriate as outcome predictors than classical questionnaire measures in complex interventions studies.

Barriers and challenges in integration of anthroposophic medicine in supportive breast cancer care

In the last decade, more and more oncology centers are challenged with complementary medicine (CM) integration within supportive breast cancer care. Quality of life (QOL) improvement and attenuation of oncology treatment side effects are the core objectives of integrative CM programs in cancer care. Yet, limited research is available on the use of specific CM modalities in an integrative setting and on cancer patients’ compliance with CM consultation. Studies are especially warranted to view the clinical application of researched CM modalities, such as anthroposophic medicine (AM), a unique CM modality oriented to cancer supportive care. Our objective was to characterize consultation patterns provided by physicians trained in CM following oncology health-care practitioners’ referral of patients receiving chemotherapy. We aimed to identify characteristics of patients who consulted with AM and to explore patients’ compliance to AM treatment. Of the 341 patients consulted with integrative physicians, 138 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Following integrative physician consultation, 56 patients were advised about AM treatment and 285 about other CM modalities. Logistic multivariate regression model found that, compared with patients receiving non-anthroposophic CM, the AM group had significantly greater rates of previous CM use [EXP(B) = 3.25, 95% C.I. 1.64-6.29, p = 0.001] and higher rates of cancer recurrence at baseline (p = 0.038). Most AM users (71.4%) used a single AM modality, such as mistletoe (viscum album) injections, oral AM supplements, or music therapy. Compliance with AM modalities following physician recommendation ranged from 44% to 71% of patients. We conclude that AM treatment provided within the integrative oncology setting is feasible based on compliance assessment. Other studies are warranted to explore the effectiveness of AM in improving patients’ QOL during chemotherapy.