Quality of Life and Related Dimensions in Cancer Patients Treated with Mistletoe Extract (Iscador): A Meta-Analysis
Büssing et al examined 734 patients treated with mistletoe therapy, subcutaneous Iscador versus 741 controls in 13 controlled trials (9 of which were randomized) and looked at differences in quality of life.[1] Though the included studies suffered from
quality issues such as lacking description of intention to treat analysis, compliance, and enrolled less than 200 patients, most trials were randomized and all of the results pointed to significant quality of life effects, despite high heterogeneity.
| Quality of Life and Related Dimensions in Cancer Patients Treated with Mistletoe Extract (Iscador): A Meta-Analysis | |
|---|---|
| Study type | Meta-analysis |
Abstract
Objectives. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of the fermented plant extract Iscador, produced from the white-berry European mistletoe, in the treatment of patients with cancer with respect to quality-of-life- (QoL-) associated measures. Methods. We searched databases such as PubMed/Medline, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), CAMbase, and other for controlled clinical studies on parameters associated with QoL. Outcome data were extracted and converted into standardized mean differences and their standard errors. Results. Thirteen prospective and controlled studies which met the inclusion/exclusion criteria reported positive effects in favor of the Iscador application. A random-effect meta-analysis estimated the overall treatment effect at standardized mean difference = 0.56 (CI: 0.41 to 0.71, P < .0001). However, the methodological quality of the studies was poor. Conclusions. The analyzed studies give some evidence that Iscador treatment might have beneficial short-time effects on QoL-associated dimensions and psychosomatic self-regulation.
Meta analysis standard mean difference effects showing an overall treatment effect at SMD = 0.56 (CI: 0.41 to 0.71, P < .0001), indicating a moderate effect.
Hypothetical diagram explaining the possible mechanisms of Viscum album extract application on QoL. Büssing, A., Raak, C., & Ostermann, T. (2012). Quality of Life and Related Dimensions in Cancer Patients Treated with Mistletoe Extract (Iscador): A Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, 2012, 219402. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/21940
See also
References
- ↑ Büssing, A., Raak, C., Ostermann, T. (2012). "Quality of Life and Related Dimensions in Cancer Patients Treated with Mistletoe Extract (Iscador): A Meta-Analysis". Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2012: 219402. doi:10.1155/2012/219402. Retrieved 16 March 2023.