Dynamic Effects of CAM Techniques on Inflammation and Emotional States: An Integrative Single-Case Study on a Breast Cancer Survivor

Background: This study on a breast cancer survivor investigated how episodic practice of various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques affected the dynamics of emotional states and urinary neopterin—an inflammation marker. Methods: The 49-year-old female patient (diagnosis: ductal breast carcinoma 5 years before study start, suffering from chronic fatigue and depression) collected her entire urine in 12-hour intervals (from about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from about 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) for 28 days. The resulting 55 consecutive urine samples were analyzed for neopterin and creatinine levels using HPLC. Also in 12-hour intervals, the patient filled out questionnaires on emotional states and everyday routine, including CAM practice. Weekly, she was interviewed to identify emotionally meaningful everyday incidents, including use of CAM techniques. Time series analysis consisted of ARIMA modeling and cross-correlational analyses. Results: Qualitative evaluation revealed that, with the exception of Tai Chi, all CAM techniques, that is, Jin Shin Jyutsu, music, physiotherapy and energy healing, were experienced as positive. Cross-correlational analyses showed that practice of such CAM techniques was followed first by significant ( P < .05) increases in positive mood and mental activity on the same day (lag 0) and then by decreases in positive mood after a total of 72 to 84 hours (+lag 6) and in mental activity after a total of 84 to 96 hours (+lag 7). Negative mood, by contrast, first decreased on the day of CAM practice (lag 0) and then increased after a total of 84 to 96 hours (+lag 7) following CAM. Moreover, urinary neopterin levels first increased on the day of CAM practice (lag 0) and then decreased after a total of 36 to 48 hours (+lag 3). Similar biphasic effects were also detected for irritation in response to CAM, although only partly significant. Conclusion: Cyclic psychophysiological response patterns following CAM practice were attributable to biopsychosocial feedback mechanisms involving personally meaningful experiences. As lower neopterin levels following CAM point to a health-promoting effect, the patient of this study may have actively contributed to her healing process through episodic CAM practice.