Impact of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine on Patients Quality-of-life During National Emergency and Wartime

Summary

The current ongoing war in Israel, which began in October 2023 with a risk for spreading regionally across the Middle East, has presented a significant challenge to many patients, affecting also those receiving active oncology treatment. The present study examines a unique setting of care involving a diverse population of patients, including those receiving oncology treatment, from a widely diverse social, cultural and religious, background. Patients are offered integrative medicine treatments for 3 weeks with the goal of addressing war-related physical, emotional, and other quality of life-related concerns. After signing the informed consent form, patients will be randomly allocated to one of the two study interventions: acupressure-relaxation alone (Group A); or acupressure-relaxation modalities with acupuncture (Group B). The response to the study intervention for quality of life-related concerns will be re-assessed immediately; at 24-48 hours; and after 3 weeks following the treatment. Patients will also undergo objective measurements during treatment using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to determine the impact of the intervention on their QoL and concerns.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients diagnosed with cancer, age ≥ 18 years who are either hospitalized or undergoing oncology treatment in an outpatient care setting; or hospitalized for any other diagnosis
* Patients expressing quality of life related concerns affected directly or indirectly to the war and related security status.

Exclusion Criteria:

Inability to read and provide informed consent

Conditions2

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