Supportive effect of Viscum album L. extracts on the sense of coherence in non-metastasized breast cancer patients

Abstract

IntroductionViscum album L. extracts (VA) are frequently used in integrative oncology to enhance health-related quality of life. As a central aspect of well-being is associated with feeling warm or cold the internal coherence scale (ICS) questionnaire including the thermo coherence measurement was utilized. MethodsA prospective observational longitudinal cohort study was conducted, using data from the Network Oncology clinical registry. Primary non-metastasized breast cancer patients diagnosed in a German certified breast cancer center and treated either with standard anti-hormonal therapy alone (control) or in combination with VA-extracts (VA-group) were included. At first diagnosis, 6 months and 12 months later, the ICS-questionnaire was administered and analysed. ResultsIn total, 72 patients (56 control and 16 VA-patients; median age 62.1 years, IQR: 52.3–70.6) were evaluated. 6 months after first diagnosis, only for the VA-group a considerable increase of the total ICS and particularly the thermo coherence score was observed (p (d) < 0.01). Furthermore, after 12 months in a subgroup of 45 patients, 69% of the VA-group, felt an advancement of warmth, while only 25% of the controls had this feeling. This significant effect remained consistent in a multivariable regression analysis (p = 0.006). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that concomitant VA is positively associated with an impact on the thermo coherence of breast cancer patients and VA-applications might be an option to harmonize discomfort symptoms during anti-cancer therapy. However, results should be interpreted with caution in light of the study´s observational character.