Some plant sugar binding proteins (lectins) may promote epithelial growth and repair due to effects on cell mitosis. ATL-104 is a recombinant form of a plant that is manufactured in Pichia pastoris, a yeast. ATL-104 is formulated as a mouthwash and has been evaluated in the management of mucositis.
A topical gel made from a combination of lorazepam (Ativan®), diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), and haloperidol (Haldol®) that is typically applied to the volar surface of the wrist. It has been studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
An herbal mixture of Astragali Radix and other herbs was studied for its effect in patients with cancer for anorexia. This mixture is seen as an immune modulator, has renal system protective attributes, and improves gastrointestinal function.
Art therapy encourages participants to express emotions through drawing and is aimed at triggering thoughts and feelings for communication. Trained art therapists assist participants to reflect on and explore the thoughts and feelings exposed in the creative expression. This activity is seen to promote the participant's understanding of him- or herself and the situation encountered.
Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant essential oils distilled from plants to alter mood or improve health. Aromatherapy was studied in patients with cancer in the management of lymphedema and depression.
Aquaphor is an over-the-counter ointment that has been used, with infants in particular, as a barrier to maintain skin moisture and protect against irritants. Aquaphor has been studied for its effectiveness in the prevention and management of radiodermatitis.
Aqua lymphatic therapy is performed in a hydrotherapy pool and uses the physical properties of water to enable women to perform self-massage and exercises. Aquatic physical therapy uses the resistance of water during exercise instead of weight or other approaches for resistance.
Anxiolytics are anti-anxiety agents, or minor tranquilizers, used for the treatment of anxiety and its related physical and psychological symptoms. Various anti-anxiety medications have been evaluated for effects on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, pain, peripheral neuropathy, and hot flashes, as well as anxiety. In many cases, individual drugs, rather than the class of drugs, may be identified as a specific intervention for Putting Evidence Into Practice classification.
Antiviral prophylaxis involved the administration of antiviral agents such as acyclcovir, gancylcovir, and valacyclovir to patients at risk for certain viral infections or reactivation of viral infection. A variety of antiviral agents have been studied. Antiviral prophylaxis has been evaluated in patients with cancer and those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation for prevention of infection from viral agents.
IV catheters that are coated or impregnated with agents such as chlorhexidine, rifampin, silver sulfadiazine, or other antimicrobial agents have been examined for effectiveness in preventing central line-associated infections. This approach has been used with nontunneled, short-term catheters in adults and children, and in the general and HCT patient populations. Findings differ between use in adults and children.