Positive Health Online

Abstract

VERHOEF and colleagues, Department of Community Health Sciences, The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. mverhoef@ucalgary.ca write that alternative therapy use in brain tumour patients is unknown, but that it may be frequent and appears to be important to those who utilise it. The authors characterised alternative therapy use in brain tumour patients.

Background

Methodology

167 brain tumour patients attending a cancer centre in southern Alberta completed a prospective questionnaire-based survey, while physicians completed forms describing clinical information regarding disease status.

Results

There was a response rate of 91% (167/184). 24% of patients used alternative therapies, often more than one therapy at the same time. The motivation to use these therapies was influenced by the desire for patient-focused treatment, and a perceived need to take charge. Users of alternative therapy were younger, more likely to be on sick or disability leave, to come in for repeat visits and to have received conventional treatments. These users also tended to have lower quality of life with respect to physical well-being, functional well-being, and a specific brain tumour subscale. Clinical variables, including disease status, tumour type and Karnofsky Performance Score were not related to use of alternative therapy use. Major changes in number and types of alternative therapy use occurred during the study period. There were no major side effects or tumour responses seen with alternative therapies.

Conclusion

Alternative therapy use in brain tumour patients is common and may reflect unmet patient needs with respect to cancer care within the current system of health care delivery.

References

Verhoef MJ et al. Alternative therapy use in neurologic diseases: use in brain tumor patients. Neurology 52(3): 617-22. Feb 1999.,