A large review of 58 studies looked at non-drug therapies for people with lung cancer. The main goals were to see which therapies could help with fatigue, depression, and overall quality of life. The review did not compare these therapies to medicines, but focused on what non-drug options work best.
For fatigue, the top three helpful therapies were acupuncture, a type of talk therapy called acceptance and commitment therapy, and nutritional advice. For depression, the best options were that same talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a body-mind-spirit approach. For overall quality of life, the talk therapy was the most effective, followed by nutritional support and mind-body exercises like gentle yoga.
This research suggests that doctors and nurses should consider using these non-drug options to help their lung cancer patients feel better. These therapies can be added to usual medical care to improve daily life and emotional well-being.
