Journal of The Society for Integrative Oncology 

About: Journal of The Society for Integrative Oncology is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Cancer & Randomized controlled trial. It has an ISSN identifier of 1715-894X. Over the lifetime, 99 publications have been published receiving 2802 citations.

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies and Botanicals

Abstract: In recent years, the term integrative medicine has gained acceptance in medical academia. The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine defi nes this term as “the practice of medicine that reaffi rms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.” 1 Integrative oncology has been specifi cally described as both a science and a philosophy that focuses on the complex health of people with cancer and proposes an array of approaches to accompany the conventional therapies of surgery, chemotherapy, molecular therapeutics, and radiotherapy to facilitate health. 2 The SIO and its Medline -indexed journal ( Journal of the Society of Integrative Oncology ), founded by leading oncologists and oncology professionals from major cancer centers and organizations, promote quality research and appropriate application of useful, adjunctive complementary modalities T he Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) is an international organization dedicated to encouraging scientifi c evaluation, dissemination of evidence-based information, and appropriate clinical integration of complementary therapies. Practice guidelines have been developed by the authors and endorsed by the Executive Committee of the SIO. Guidelines are a work in progress; they will be updated as needed and are available on the SIO Web site ().

From ancient medicine to modern medicine: ayurvedic concepts of health and their role in inflammation and cancer.

Abstract: ;Recent statistics indicate that the overall cancer incidence in the United States, in spite of billions of dollars spent on research each year, has not changed significantly in the last half-century. Cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, and colon, although most common in the Western world, are least common in the Eastern world. Allopathic medicine commonly practiced currently is only 100 years old. Although traditional medicine has been around for thousands of years, no integration exists between it and allopathic medicine. Ayurveda, the science of long life and one of the most ancient medical systems still practiced on the Indian subcontinent, can be used in combination with modern medicine to provide better treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the ayurvedic concept of the causes of cancer and its linkage with inflammation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment < . How ayurvedic medicine can be integrated with allopathic medicine is also discussed in this review.

Yoga improves quality of life and benefit finding in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer

Abstract: This study examined the effects of yoga on quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial outcomes in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy Sixty-one women were randomly assigned to either a yoga or a wait-list group Yoga classes were taught biweekly during the 6 weeks of radiotherapy Participants completed measures of QOL, fatigue, benefit finding (finding meaning in the cancer experience), intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and anxiety before radiotherapy and then again 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the end of radiotherapy General linear model analyses revealed that compared to the control group, the yoga group reported significantly better general health perception (p = 005) and physical functioning scores (p = 04) 1 week postradiotherapy; higher levels of intrusive thoughts 1 month postradiotherapy (p = 01); and greater benefit finding 3 months postradiotherapy (p = 01) There were no other group differences in other QOL subscales for fatigue, depression, or sleep scores Exploratory analyses indicated that intrusive thoughts 1 month after radiotherapy were significantly positively correlated with benefit finding 3 months after radiotherapy (r = 36, p = 011) Our results indicated that the yoga program was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvements in aspects of QOL

How to randomize.

Abstract: Randomized trials are an important method for deciding whether integrative oncology therapies do more good than harm. Many investigators do not pay sufficient attention to randomization procedures, and several studies have shown that only a fraction of trial reports describe randomization adequately. The purpose of randomization is to prevent selection bias: randomization procedures must therefore ensure that researchers are unable to predict the group to which a patient will be randomized until the patient is unambiguously registered on study; moreover, researchers must be unable to change a patient's allocation after the patients are registered. The use of telephone randomization and opaque envelopes has been suggested as a good randomization method, but both can be subverted. Randomization should be conducted either by a pharmaceutical company, which sends blinded medication to the hospital pharmacy, or by a secure, password-protected database system. Computer randomization can easily incorporate extensions of randomization, such as blocking, stratification, and minimization, which can help ensure balance between groups.

Restorative yoga for women with ovarian or breast cancer: findings from a pilot study.

Abstract: Yoga has demonstrated benefit in healthy individuals and those with various health conditions. There are, however, few systematic studies to support the development of yoga interventions for cancer patients. Restorative yoga (RY) is a gentle type of yoga that has been described as "active relaxation." The specific aims of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility of implementing an RY intervention as a supportive therapy for women diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer and to measure changes in self-reported fatigue, psychological distress and well-being, and quality of life. Fifty-one women with ovarian (n = 37) or breast cancer (n = 14) with a mean age of 58.9 years enrolled in this study; the majority (61%) were actively undergoing cancer treatment at the time of enrollment. All study participants participated in 10 weekly 75-minute RY classes that combined physical postures, breathing, and deep relaxation. Study participants completed questionnaires at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 2 months postintervention. Significant improvements were seen for depression, negative affect, state anxiety, mental health, and overall quality of life. Fatigue decreased between baseline and postintervention follow-up. Health-related quality of life improved between baseline and the 2-month follow-up. Qualitative feedback from participants was predominantly positive; relaxation and shared group experience were two common themes.