Suzanne L Walker1, Kristin Levoy2,3,4, Salimah H Meghani5. 1. Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. suzanne.walker@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. 2. Department of Community and Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 3. Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 4. Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 5. Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pain is a common symptom in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Despite recommendations for the stronger integration of complementary and integrative health (CIH) in cancer pain management, little is known about the individual experience of using this approach for cancer pain, particularly in certain populations such as African Americans. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the experiences of using CIH for pain in African American and White patients with cancer undergoing cancer treatments. METHODS: A secondary analysis of qualitative descriptive data from a subsample of patients with cancer in a parent study of their illness concerns was employed. Atlas.ti 8.0 was used for data management and qualitative analysis. Counts of participant-endorsed themes were tabulated to discern differences in themes by group. RESULTS: Of 32 participants (16 African American, 16 White), 22 reported CIH usage for cancer pain management, with equal distribution between groups (11 each). Three themes emerged: Approach to, Reasons for, and Barriers to CIH Use. Psychological approaches were most common (n = 15). Nutritional, physical, and combination approaches were less common and more often employed by White participants. Reasons for CIH use were to reduce opioid consumption or for an opioid adjuvant. Personal limitations and access issues contributed to Barriers to CIH use. CONCLUSIONS: Both African American and White patients used CIH for pain management while undergoing cancer treatments. However, some preferential differences in CIH approaches by race surfaced. Further research into these differences may uncover new ways of addressing disparities in cancer pain management with CIH.
BACKGROUND: Pain is a common symptom in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Despite recommendations for the stronger integration of complementary and integrative health (CIH) in cancer pain management, little is known about the individual experience of using this approach for cancer pain, particularly in certain populations such as African Americans. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the experiences of using CIH for pain in African American and White patients with cancer undergoing cancer treatments. METHODS: A secondary analysis of qualitative descriptive data from a subsample of patients with cancer in a parent study of their illness concerns was employed. Atlas.ti 8.0 was used for data management and qualitative analysis. Counts of participant-endorsed themes were tabulated to discern differences in themes by group. RESULTS: Of 32 participants (16 African American, 16 White), 22 reported CIH usage for cancer pain management, with equal distribution between groups (11 each). Three themes emerged: Approach to, Reasons for, and Barriers to CIH Use. Psychological approaches were most common (n = 15). Nutritional, physical, and combination approaches were less common and more often employed by White participants. Reasons for CIH use were to reduce opioid consumption or for an opioid adjuvant. Personal limitations and access issues contributed to Barriers to CIH use. CONCLUSIONS: Both African American and White patients used CIH for pain management while undergoing cancer treatments. However, some preferential differences in CIH approaches by race surfaced. Further research into these differences may uncover new ways of addressing disparities in cancer pain management with CIH.
Authors: Kevin T Liou; Tony K W Hung; Salimah H Meghani; Andrew S Epstein; Q Susan Li; Sally A D Romero; Roger B Cohen; Jun J Mao Journal: Pain Med Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 3.750
Authors: Judith A Paice; Russell Portenoy; Christina Lacchetti; Toby Campbell; Andrea Cheville; Marc Citron; Louis S Constine; Andrea Cooper; Paul Glare; Frank Keefe; Lakshmi Koyyalagunta; Michael Levy; Christine Miaskowski; Shirley Otis-Green; Paul Sloan; Eduardo Bruera Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2016-07-25 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Marieke H J van den Beuken-van Everdingen; Laura M J Hochstenbach; Elbert A J Joosten; Vivianne C G Tjan-Heijnen; Daisy J A Janssen Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2016-04-23 Impact factor: 3.612