Non-pharmacological interventions related to pain in patients with breast cancer : A descriptive review

Background: Various pains associated with breast cancer were the most common complication in breast cancer survivors. It is crucial to explore more effective non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate the pain of breast cancer sufferers, promote comfort and improve their quality of life.Objective: To explore the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief in breast cancer patients.Methods: By using the search terms ‘breast cancer’ ‘pain’ and ‘interventions’, 11 publications on non-pharmacological interventions related to pain in breast cancer patients were systematically searched in Pub Med to address the research questions.Results: Findings were grouped into four themes, namely physiotherapy, psychotherapy, mind-body therapy and technology-based therapy. 11 therapeutic therapies comprising massage, dance movement therapy, healing touch and massage, acupuncture, ischemic compression and kinesiotherapy, hypnosis, cognitive behavior therapy integrated with mindfulness, music, mindful yoga, Qigong mind-body therapy and technology-based cancer pain management support program have all been demonstrated to improve pain.Conclusion: Although we have found that a wide variety of methods can be associated with the reduction of pain in breast cancer cases, in the practice of clinical application, each intervention has its range of suitability, so caregivers can use them in conjunction with the patient's specific condition and consider their usage in conjunction with other treatments on professional advice to better control cancer pain and improve quality of life.Keywords: Breast cancer, Pain, Non-pharmacological, intervention