Complementary and integrative medicine in cancer-related fatigue

The majority of cancer patients experience fatigue during the course of their illness. Fatigue should not be seen as an inevitable consequence of cancer and its treatment. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a multidimensional symptom complex that is influenced by a variety of factors. Complementary medicine approaches offer potentially promising strategies to address this fatigue and can therefore be a valuable addition to conventional therapies. In this narrative review, complementary medicine treatment approaches for tumor-associated fatigue are presented according to the historical development and current scientific evidence. The focus is on methods with the highest current evidence based on the recommendations of national and international guidelines. Therapeutic approaches from mind-body medicine, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), yoga, tai chi, and qigong, as well as acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, and phytotherapeutic treatment approaches are presented. In Germany, the complementary therapies listed here are not generally covered by health insurances. However, a few clinics have developed comprehensive programs in mind-body medicine, for which cost coverage has already been obtained. As a result, complementary medical treatments for cancer-related fatigue that adhere to national and international guidelines are typically available only as private services or within the framework of study participation.