Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
Society for Cancer Research, Arlesheim, Switzerland.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2023 Jan-Dec;22:15347354231198474. doi: 10.1177/15347354231198474.
The introspective experience of cancer patients using mistletoe therapy has received little scientific interest, although it is crucial for a holistic understanding of this therapy. This study contributes to patient-centered research and treatment by documenting the subjective experiences of individuals undergoing mistletoe therapy.
In this qualitative, explorative study, 20 outpatients with a history of various cancer types were recruited from Arlesheim Hospital (Arlesheim, Switzerland). All patients received subcutaneous mistletoe therapy for at least 2 years (median 7.5 years). Data was collected through 2 semi-structured, in-depth interviews per patient. Qualitative content analysis was applied to examine the data. The individual experience of mistletoe therapy was analyzed in relation to 6 predefined levels of human experience: physical, vital, emotional, mental, spiritual and social. In addition, 3 further aspects, considered as cross-dimensional perspectives, emerged out of the material: warmth, immune strengthening, and general wellbeing.
Data analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity among patients' experiences with mistletoe therapy. The importance of specific aspects became apparent, such as increased vitality to manage daily life, greater emotional and mental stability, warmth as a multidimensional phenomenon, feelings of safety and protection through mistletoe therapy, heightened self-awareness and improved self-care, as well as sensations of spiritual connectedness.
Prior to this study it had not been shown that cancer patients using mistletoe therapy do have observations on different levels of experience. These results may lead to a deeper understanding of patients receiving mistletoe therapy, enabling them to be supported in a more holistic way both during mistletoe treatment and on their life path. Further investigations into the effects of mistletoe therapy on the emotional, mental, and spiritual level are warranted.
癌症患者使用槲寄生疗法的内省体验很少引起科学界的兴趣，尽管这对于全面理解这种疗法至关重要。本研究通过记录接受槲寄生疗法的个体的主观体验，为以患者为中心的研究和治疗做出了贡献。
在这项定性、探索性研究中，从瑞士阿尔莱希姆医院（Arlesheim，瑞士）招募了 20 名有多种癌症病史的门诊患者。所有患者均接受皮下槲寄生治疗至少 2 年（中位数 7.5 年）。通过对每位患者进行 2 次半结构化深入访谈来收集数据。采用定性内容分析法来检查数据。将个体接受槲寄生疗法的体验与人类体验的 6 个预设水平进行分析：身体、生命力、情感、心理、精神和社会。此外，从材料中还出现了 3 个被认为是跨维度的方面：温暖、增强免疫力和整体幸福感。
数据分析显示，患者对槲寄生疗法的体验存在相当大的异质性。具体方面的重要性变得明显，例如增加活力以应对日常生活、增强情绪和心理稳定性、温暖作为一个多维现象、通过槲寄生疗法产生的安全感和保护感、自我意识的提高和自我保健的改善，以及精神联系的感觉。
在这项研究之前，尚未证明使用槲寄生疗法的癌症患者确实对不同层面的体验有观察。这些结果可能会导致对接受槲寄生疗法的患者有更深入的了解，使他们在接受槲寄生治疗期间以及在他们的生活道路上能够得到更全面的支持。有必要进一步研究槲寄生疗法对情感、心理和精神层面的影响。
