Personalised complementary therapy for reducing anxiety and related hypertension: interim findings from a nurse-led study

Background Anxiety is common in patients with cancer, particularly those receiving systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) or participating in early-phase oncology trials. Anxiety can contribute to transient increases in blood pressure (BP) and bring about white coat hypertension (WCH). Complementary therapies are increasingly used in cancer services to support patients’ psychological well-being, but there has been little high-quality research into their effectiveness. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of personalised complementary therapy versus standard care in reducing clinically significant anxiety and anxiety-related hypertension, including WCH, in patients attending hospital appointments for SACT or participating in early-phase oncology trials. To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of integrating personalised complementary therapies in cancer care pathways. Method As part of an ongoing randomised controlled trial, patients attending two cancer centres in England were randomised to receive personalised complementary therapy (n=45) or standard care (n=44). Anxiety was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. A median home BP was calculated at baseline based on three home readings. Successive clinic BP readings were obtained. Attendance data were recorded and qualitative feedback was elicited from participants and nursing staff. Findings Over the course of the observation period there was a greater reduction in mean anxiety score in patients receiving personalised complementary therapy than in controls. Mean clinic BP changes were minimal in both groups. Attendance was high and qualitative feedback was positive. Conclusion These interim findings from a nurse-led study show that personalised complementary therapy may reduce anxiety in patients with cancer attending high-intensity clinical environments. Further recruitment and evaluation are needed to obtain more conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of the study intervention.