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

Impact of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine on Patients&Amp;Amp;#39; Quality-of-life During National Emergency and Wartime in Integrative Oncology and Inpatient Settings

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.

Integrative medicine is increasingly being included in supportive and palliative care, primarily in oncology settings. The current military conflict in Israel has led to a surge in cases of emotional and physical distress, overwhelming the health profession throughout the country.

Study objectives and purpose: The primary study objective is to improve patients' QoL-related concerns including those affected by the military conflict.

Study design and setting: The study is taken place within a prospective randomized controlled methodology.

Study population: Patients of either gender, hospitalized for various indications (oncology or not) or undergoing out-patient oncology treatment, age ≥ 18 years.

Allocation to study arms and groups: Participants will be randomly assigned using the "Research Randomizer" online tool (https://www.randomizer.org/) to one of the following study groups:

• Single-modality integrative medicine, receiving acupressure/relaxation only (Group A)
• Multi-modality integrative medicine receiving acupressure/relaxation with acupuncture (Group B) In both study groups, the interviews will address quality of life-related concerns, including war-related concerns. Reassessment of these concerns will be conducted immediately post-treatment, 24-hour post treatment and following 3 weeks. patients in both groups will be offered weekly integrative medicine treatments during the 3 weeks following the first treatment .

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