The use of herbal medicine and its influence on the physical conditions of cancer children during chemotherapy period

• Main Authors: Yea-Ling Huang, 黃雅羚
• Other Authors: Chi-Chun Chin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/11888398823569987298

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 護理學研究所碩士班 === 95 === Backgroud： In Chinese tradition, people use herbs as food in order to keep health. Recently, many people also use herbs as an alternative regimen, especially cancer patients. The cancer children in Taiwan usually use non-prescriptive herbs in order to improve their physical conditions. Most of them feel effectively. In this study, we discuss how cancer children use herbs and the influences of their physical conditions. Objectives: The purposes of this study are discussing how cancer children use herbs and the influences of their physical conditions. Sample/setting: Ninety three children with cancer were recruited at three medical centers that two are in the southern of Taiwan and one is in the north of Taiwan. Method: A descriptive-comparative research was conducted. Blood count in hospital were used; meanwhile children physical conditions measured by physical force-Visual Analogue Scales(VAS), Childhood Fatigue Scale(CFS), Parent Fatigue Scale(PFS) and Symptom Distress Scale(SDS). Then we discuss the influences on their physical conditions. Result： 37 of children use herbs and 45 kinds of herbs were used. Astragali Radix, Lycii Fructus, Zizyphi Sativae Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Mucunae were usually used by cancer children. The ways of using herbs were putting few herbs in water or food and ate or drunk this kind of tea or food two or three times per week. Most of the herbs were non-prescriptive. 83.7% of the cancer children spend less than ten thousand dollars per year. Parents will use Chinese herbal midicine as assistant when children have personal assurance and when the children’s physical condition is stable. The results were that it was effective in protecting Bone Marrow functions and reducing symptom distresses, however it was ineffective in promoting physical force and reducing fatigue. This study was a descriptive research, so the results must be assayed by experimental study. Therefore we recommended that if you want to use herbs as assistants, it is safer to consult Chinese doctors.