Digital Integrative Medicine Program Improves Overall Survival in Patients Undergoing Systemic Cancer Treatment
A study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that a digital integrative medicine program, IM@Home, significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in cancer patients. The trial suggests that virtual mind-body therapies can be effective tools for managing symptoms during systemic treatment.
Why it matters
This research provides evidence for scalable, remote supportive care options that can improve patient outcomes and accessibility to integrative medicine.
Guest Editor’s Note: Cancer and its treatments often contribute to troubling symptoms, including fatigue, which has been correlated with poor treatment-related outcomes, including overall survival, in patients with cancer. Growing evidence indicates that mind-body therapies such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi, as well as exercise, are effective in managing cancer-related symptoms.
Researchers at the Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service developed Integrative Medicine@Home, a virtual, live mind-body therapy and fitness program, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the IMPROVE trial, the program was shown to significantly reduce fatigue, as well as anxiety and depression. In this article, Dr. Karolina Bryl reports overall survival results from a secondary analysis of the IMPROVE trial.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in