How The TCM Comprehensive Therapy Affect The Quality Of Life For Post Operative Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose:This study is to investigate how the Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Therapy intergrated with TCM herbal medicine and TCM psychotherapy,affects the quality of life of post operative breast cancer patients.Breast cancer is the first global ranking female malignancy,the new incidence and mortality pose a major threat to all women.During the process of combating illness,patients suffered utmost stress and burden,both physically and mentally.In this study,a large number of both ancient and contemporary literatures supporting how TCM works on breast cancer and emotional depression correlated with breast cancer.This study collected 60 cases of breast cancer patients divided into two groups,to investigate how TCM Comprehensive Therapy plays an important role to improve the quality of life for post operative breast cancer patients.The total therapeutic effect of the study group showed a better quality of life,better mental health and TCM clinical symptoms alleviated after treatment.Methods:From 2014 to 2016,participants were recruited from one of the Hong Kong Cancer Caring Center.Sixty patients were randomized into study group and a control group,thirty cases in each one.The study method by using TCM Comprehensive Therapy integrated 12 weeks TCM herbal medicine and 4 sessions TCM psychotherapy intervention.The control group received only conventional treatment.Four questionnaires including Eortc QLQ-30,HAMD-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,TCM clinical symptoms questionnaire and C type personality behavior questionnaire need to be completed to compare the results before and after TCM Comprehensive Therapy.The inclusion criteria required subjects to meet the TCM breast cancer diagnostic of breast agglomeration caused by liver depression and phlegm accumulation(with the main symptoms of fatigue,insomnia,anxiety/depression,constipation/diarrhea and anorexia and others such as hot flashes,hyperhidrosis,bitter dry mouth,breast pain,irregular menstruation,joint or back pain,edema).The score-HAMD as mild depression,reflection of low five functional scales of Eortc QLQ-30,C type behavior patterns traits(?)6 showing characteristic of repression anger,prone to guilt and self blame.Statistic method by using SPSS22.0 statistical software package x ± sd description,P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Research Results:After the application of TCM Comprehensive Therapy,the results of four studies indicated a positive effect on physical function in the aspect of fatigue,insomnia and digestive function.Positive emotional well being,depression and anxiety improved.1.Eortc QOL-30:the overall quality of life improved in study group(3.95±0.89),vs.control group(3.10 ± 1.08)with statistically significant.The cognitive,emotional and social aspect were all improved in study group[(1.95±0.19),(1.48±0.94),(1.80±0.90)]vs.control group[(2.35±1.11),(2.15±1.01),(1.87±1.11)].The physical symptoms scale of insomnia,fatigue and dyspnoea shown positive effect[(2.77±0.68),(2.34±0.34),(2.23±0.70)]vs.control group.2.TCM breast cancer diagnostic:positive effect findings shown in the aspect of fatigue,insomnia,anxiety/depression.[(1.37±0.56),(1.23±0.69),(0.87±0.66)]vs.(2.03±0.66),(2.00±0.78)(1.5±0.97)].Constipation/Diarrhea and anorexia of TCM Digestive system findings shown[(1.33±0.67),(0.73±0.6)]vs.(1.30±0.96),(1.00±0.93)].3.After 12 weeks TCM herbal treatments,out of 30 cases from study group,17 cases with obvious and satisfactory result,9 cases effective and 4 cases result not satisfactory.4.HAMD-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 21 symptoms scores:depressed mood,retardation and feeling of guilt improved[(0.80±0.53),(0.87±0.55),(0.2±0.41)]vs.[(1.53±1.03),(1.60±0.63),(0.70±0.83)].Somatic symptoms general,insomnia middle improved[(1.17±0.55),(0.80±0.38)]vs.[(1.77±0.59),(1.87±0.52)].5.Ctype personality traits:the score<6,from the original ten patients increased to sixteen,score from the range of seven to ten decreased from sixteen to eleven,reflecting the type C behavior pattern had significantly lower which reflects the patient tends to express more of their anger feeling,fear and anxiety.Study group(6.7±1.93)vs(8.33±2.19)of control group,P<0.05 statistically significant.Conclusion:Women with breast cancer are the largest group of female survivors of cancer.Coping with the emotional strain of the diagnosis and the challenge of treatments can affect their quality of life.The study findings showed that overall breast cancer patients perceived benefit both physically and mentally from TCM Comprehensive Therapy.This study provided data on healthy related quality of life through 4 different kinds of questionnaires.The 30 breast cancer patients treated with 12 weeks of TCM herbal medicine and 4 sessions of TCM phychotherapy,generally the fatigue and insomnia syndrome in physical area is positively imporved.The depression mood,anxiety and guilt as well as repressive coping behavior promisingly alleviated.This study in future can be investigated in larger sample size.Also the treatments can be improved in longer period of time to optimize better result of upper limb edema,numbness,tingling,acupuncture can also be considered as one of the treatments.Although the depressive and anxious mood declined from the data,it can be a short term response and easily relapsed.Therefore longer positive TCM psychological intervention and support is needed to strengthen resilience,to enhance better quality of life for post-operative breast cancer patients.