SolarisCare SolarisCare Integrated care for cancerIntegrated care for cancer
Complementary Therapies for Complementary Therapies for Cancer PatientsCancer Patients
Anna S Petterson PhDAnna S Petterson PhDPostdoctoral Research Fellow & Medical Art Psychotherapist
SolarisCare Foundation, Perth, Western Australia
SolarisCare FoundationSolarisCare Foundation
2001 Brownes Cancer Support Centre SCGH Initiated by Dr David Joske, Head of Haematology
2002 Introduced symptom distress and quality of life measurements Data on 1244 cancer patients 2002 - 2007
2006 SolarisCare Foundation established (charity)
2008 Operates with donations (plus Liberal-National Govt
Grant)
2008 Opened St John of God, Subiaco, WA
2010 Opened in Bunbury, SouthWest, WA
.
Complementary TherapiesComplementary Therapies
Goldrosen M, Straus S. Nature Rev. Immunol. 2004, 4:912-921.
www.solariscare.org.au
Despite dazzling technological progress in diagnosis
and treatment, doctors sometimes lack the capacity
to recognise the impact of illness on patients, to
extend empathy towards those who suffer and join
honestly and courageously with patients in their
illness.
Complementary Integrative Therapies are evidence-
based and provide supportive care to improve quality of
life and assist in reducing physical and psychological
distress to achieve the best possible health outcome
SolarisCare TherapiesSolarisCare Therapies
Literature review1
Ability to share clinical dialogue
Availability
Risk reduction Medico-legal risk: primum non nocere
Public sector volunteer guidelines
12 months experience + ‘active listening training’
Optimal training/ highest available + continued PD
Four weeks as meet-and-greet before starting
Self-awareness training + mainstream cancer info.
1. Joske, Kristjanson, Rao. Critical review of complementary therapies in Haematology-Oncology.
Int J Med 2006; 36: 479-586.
www.solariscare.org.au
Nurses perceptions of providing reflexology on Nurses perceptions of providing reflexology on day cancer unitday cancer unit
Measurements & Methodological Measurements & Methodological ChallengesChallenges
Patients complete initial consultation formage, cancer type, metastases, co-morbidities, mainstream treatment
SDS and QoL Scales before and after sessions 1, 3 and 6
7-point Edmonton Symptom Distress ScaleAdapted Kristjanson et al., (1999)
pain, fatigue, nausea, bowels, breathing, appetite, sleeppain, fatigue, nausea, bowels, breathing, appetite, sleep
7-point Psychological Quality of Life Scale Adapted from the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire Molzahn, A.E., (1998) “Quality of Life: Definitions, Measurements, Application to Practice”. Focus on Research pp55-71
disempowered, depressed, anxious, frustrated, confused, not disempowered, depressed, anxious, frustrated, confused, not coping, worriedcoping, worried
Reduction in symptom distressReduction in symptom distress2
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
Me
an
SD
S s
core
1 2 3 4 5 6Number of therapy visits
Symptom distress score before therapy 95% CI
P < 0.0001
Change in Symptom Distress Scale over time
...patient feedback.......patient feedback....
Patients receiving complementary treatments report
significantly lower levels of symptom distress and
depression and high levels of quality of life both
immediately and six weeks following treatment
Improved quality of lifeImproved quality of life6
.87
7.2
7.4
7.6
Me
an Q
OL
sco
re
1 2 3 4 5 6Number of therapy visits
Quality of life score before therapy 95% CI
P < 0.0001
Change in Quality of Life Score over time
...patient feedback.......patient feedback....
Patients reported improved quality of life following
a complementary therapy treatment including
themes of empowerment, relaxation, social support
and hope
Scientific competent medicine alone cannot help
a patient grapple with the loss of health or find
meaning in suffering. Along with scientific ability,
doctors need the ability to listen to the narratives
of the patient, grasp and honour their meaning
and be moved to act on the patients behalf. Charon, R., (2001) JAMA 286:1897-1902
Dancing with NEDDancing with NED
Some ConclusionsSome Conclusions
1. Using selected community-based complementary
therapies for self-selected cancer patients is
feasible and safe.
2. Using modified symptom distress and quality of life
scales, there was a measurable reduction in
symptom distress, and improved quality of life in
1244 cancer patients.
3. A beneficial effect of complementary therapy
interventions appears the most likely explanation.
Building HopeBuilding HopeProviding Complementary Providing Complementary
Therapies for Cancer Patients & Therapies for Cancer Patients & Their CarersTheir Carers
[email protected]@solariscare.org.au