Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, professor in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University, discusses a study that looked at acupressure to aid in relieving persistent cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors.

Wyatt says before this study was started, researchers completed a pilot study. The pilot study examined two different types of procedures: relaxation and stimulating acupressure. The pilot results showed that stimulating acupressure helped patients with fatigue the most, Wyatt says.

The current study is testing the ability of both relaxation acupressure and stimulating acupressure to assist with cancer-related fatigue while survivors continue to receive standard medical treatment. There is also a third arm of the study where patients are just receiving the standard medical treatment.

The study is only looking at breast cancer survivors, where cancer-related fatigue can really linger.

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Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, discusses a study that looks at acupressure to aid in relieving persistent cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors.

Gwen Wyatt on Acupressure for Persistent Cancer-Related Fatigue

Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, describes reflexology treatment for patients with breast cancer.

Reflexology is not massage, it is a specific pressure most commonly applied to the foot. The thumb-walking motion across the reflexes located on the foot provides a "good hurt" with firm pressure, Wyatt says.

The deep pressure from reflexology should not be painful and does not cause tissue damage. If done correctly, a patient should help to monitor pain, as they should be receiving benefit on reflexes without pain.

Articles

Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, describes reflexology treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Gwen Wyatt on Reflexology Treatment for Breast Cancer

Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, discusses the use of complementary therapies in cancer care.

The latest research, Wyatt says, shows that 80% of patients with breast cancer use complementary therapies. This is a compelling fact and can be problematic if these therapies are being used without adequate safety and efficacy knowledge. Though many complementary therapies do not have safety concerns, there is a need for evidence to support that.

In the case of ingestible therapies such as herbs or botanicals, these can interfere with medical management or cause other symptoms. Wyatt believes that patients will use complementary therapies even in the absence of evidence to support their benefit.

Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN

Articles

Gwen Wyatt on Acupressure for Persistent Cancer-Related Fatigue

Gwen Wyatt on Reflexology Treatment for Breast Cancer

Gwen Wyatt Discusses Complementary Therapies