An insurance-supported integrative oncology program at Cleveland-based University Hospitals was linked to improved levels of pain, stress, anxiety, depression, nausea and fatigue among cancer patients, according to a study published July 1 in JCO Oncology Practice.
Here are five notes from the study:
- The study evaluated the first 16 months of care provided at the Connor Whole Health Integrative Oncology Symptom Management Clinic at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
The clinic served 291 patients and performed 1,924 treatments between June 2023 and September 2024. - The clinic used a hybrid model combining insurance-billed physician consults and massage therapy with low-cost group acupuncture, reiki and group medical visits. Nonbillable services were supported in part by philanthropic funding.
- In the clinic’s first three months, single treatments were linked to clinically meaningful reductions in pain, stress, anxiety, depression, nausea and fatigue among a subset of patients with moderate to severe symptoms.
- Of 62 patients, 62.3% strongly agreed the clinic helped them use integrative therapies and 85.5% strongly agreed they would refer others to the clinic.
- Researchers said the model could serve as an adaptable, insurance-based framework for guideline-concordant integrative oncology care.
Read the full study here.
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