EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WITH CANCER WHO PERFORM COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To identify the scientific evidence related to the experience of cancer patients undergoing complementary therapies. Materials and Methods: Integrative review that followed Crossetti’s 5 methodological steps. The search strategy considered the terms “Complementary Therapies”, “Neoplasia”, “Nursing”, “Experience and Qualitative Research”, using the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” in Spanish, Portuguese and English. It was carried out in the BVS, SCIELO, SCOPUS, WOS data bases, in the period between 2000 and 2019. Results: 16 qualitative primary articles met the inclusion criteria. Six categories were identified: beliefs about complementary therapies, complementary therapy vs. conventional therapy, holistic wellbeing, time for personal love, making sense of the cancer experience and increasing personal control. Conclusions: People with cancer who use complementary therapies report positive experiences and good quality of life, with benefits over cancer or chemotherapy symptoms, and improvements in mental, spiritual and social health. Qualitative studies on complementary therapies focus on the reasons leading patients to use them, their beliefs and overall satisfaction as a whole. It is necessary to investigate these experiences focusing on specific therapies, and to recognize which is more beneficial to a person with cancer. More evidence could support its inclusion into nursing care practice.