Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a type of psychostimulant used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Methylphenidate is closely related to amphetamine and is a schedule II drug. It is taken by mouth and available by numerous different brand names.
Methylnaltrexone
Methylnaltrexone injection is used to treat constipation caused by opioid pain medications. Methylnaltrexone injection is in a class of medications called peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists. It works by protecting the bowel from the effects of opioid medications at receptor sites in the bowel. Methylnaltrexone injection comes as a solution to inject subcutaneously.
Methadone
Methadone is in a class of medications called opiate analgesics. Methadone works to treat pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Methadone can work as a substitute for opiates by producing effects similar to those that opiates produce.
Mesna
Mesna is a chemical compound that has cytoprotective and antioxidant effects. It can be administered orally or intravenously. Mesna has been evaluated in patients with cancer for the prevention and treatment of bleeding as an adjuvant to specific chemotherapeutic agents.
Memantine
Memantine acts on the glutamatergic system by blocking NMDA receptors. It has been used to treat moderate to severe dementia and has been studied in patients with cancer.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland that has numerous biologic effects, including antioxidant properties and potential effects on the sleep-wake cycle and immune system functions. Melatonin is available as a dietary supplement. Long-term effects of supplementation are not known. Melatonin has been studied for its effect on anorexia, depression, fatigue, sleep-wake disturbances, and cognitive impairment in people with cancer.
Meditation
Meditation refers to a variety of practices to focus the mind and increase awareness. A person who is meditating may use certain techniques, such as specific postures and attention to breathing. Meditation has been examined as a way to address anxiety, cognitive impairment, depression, sleep-wake disturbances, and fatigue in patients with cancer. It has also been examined as a way to address caregiver strain and burden.
Medical Clowning
Medical clowning is the use of trained clowns in the healthcare setting to distract, empower, and relieve stress or other symptoms among pediatric patients and their families through humor and laughter.
Mechanical Exercise Device
One exercise facilitating device studied consisted of a pulley system with a metal wheel fixed on a support at a specified distance from the patient's body, aimed at controlling joint movement and spine posture during arm exercises. Other types of devices have been designed and studied to provide mechanical assistance for exercise.
Massage/Aromatherapy Massage
Massage therapy involves the manipulation of the soft-tissue with various hand movements (e.g., rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, tapping). Massage therapy can elicit a relaxation response as measured by decreases in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Often, massage is complemented with aromatherapy (i.e., essential oils combined with a carrier cream or oil to manipulate the soft tissues). Aromatherapy has been used together with massage in some studies.