Dados do Resumo

Título

Integration of complementary therapies in pediatric oncology:Impaccts on the quality of life of children and their caregivers

Introdução

Childhood cancer impacts both the patient and their support network¹, harming their development and quality of life³. Complementary therapies aim to improve family relationships, self-confidence, a sense of well-being, helping to cope with the disease1,2, reducing the emotional effects of treatment4. Therefore, when combined with traditional drug treatment, these therapies have a great positive impact on cancer patients⁵.

Objetivo

Evaluate how the integration of complementary therapies in pediatric oncology impacts the quality of life of children with cancer and their caregivers, exploring physical, emotional and psychosocial benefits, including the analysis of therapies such as music therapy, neurofeedback and healing touch.

Métodos

The literature review was carried out regarding complementary therapies and their impacts on pediatric oncology, both for patients and the people around them. Six relevant articles were selected from the PubMed and Embase databases, published between 2017 and 2024, using the keywords "complementary therapies", "cancer", "children" and "caregivers". The research included randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies and meta-analyses that explored the impact of interventions such as neurofeedback, music therapy and "healing touch" on the quality of life of children with cancer and their caregivers.

Resultados

Studies reveal the interconnectedness between emotional support and therapeutic interventions in pediatric oncology. The "Siblings Coping Together" program showed that siblings of children with cancer can benefit from a dedicated space to share experiences, resulting in improved family relationships and self-confidence. The analysis of the relevance of music reinforced this idea, showing that music can act as a powerful resource to alleviate emotional pain and promote social connections2. Additionally, the essay on Pediatric Integrative Medicine suggests that combining conventional care with complementary therapies can be an effective strategy to improve patients' quality of life, highlighting the need for holistic approaches in cancer treatment5. These interventions not only help mitigate the side effects of treatment but also promote a supportive environment crucial for the emotional well-being of all involved1,3.

Conclusões

From this review, it is evident that the adoption of Pediatric Integrative Medicine (PIM) is growing in hospitals, with solid evidence of its benefits for patients' quality of life. While interventions focused on emotional support have demonstrated clear benefits, their scientific validation is essential for their acceptance. Thus, additional studies are necessary to ensure they produce safe and positive outcomes for pediatric patients.

Palavras Chave

Complementary Therapies; Câncer; Children