Cost-Effectiveness of Integrative Concepts for the Treatment of Oncologcial Patients (OCEANic): Protocol for a Systematic Review

BackgroundIntegrative oncology combines conventional cancer treatments with complementary medicine to enhance patient-centered care, symptom management, and overall well-being. Despite growing demand in Europe, challenges such as unequal access, reimbursement policies, and limited cost-effectiveness research hinder its broader integration into healthcare systems. This systematic review will evaluate the financial sustainability of integrative oncology interventions, providing evidence to support policy decisions and future investments in patient-centered cancer care. MethodsA systematic review will be conducted following PRISMA guidelines, applying PICO criteria for study inclusion, focusing on adult cancer patients receiving integrative therapies and evaluating their economic impact. The review is currently in the literature search phase, using predefined search terms across selected databases. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including randomized and non-randomized trials, will be considered, while studies on adolescents or without economic evaluations will be excluded. Records will be managed using EndNote, and two independent reviewers will assess study eligibility through title and abstract screening, resolving discrepancies through discussion, with a third reviewer if needed. Data will be extracted independently using a standardized form, including study characteristics, sample size, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness details. Comparative analyses will focus on clinical and humanistic outcomes, using key metrics like ICER and CBR. A narrative synthesis will evaluate study quality and methodology, with no meta-analysis due to expected heterogeneity. As this study does not involve human participants or personal data, ethics approval is not required. ResultsThe systematic review is currently in progress. Pilot work and initial study identification have begun, though not yet completed. Screening of search results is scheduled to commence in mid-May 2025, followed by data extraction in early June. Completion of the review is anticipated by the end of October 2025. DiscussionThe findings will provide valuable insights into the cost-effectiveness of integrative oncology interventions, informing healthcare policy, clinical practice, and future research directions. By identifying financially sustainable integrative treatments, this project aims to enhance patient care and optimize resource allocation within oncology healthcare systems. Trial registrationPROSPERO, registration number 1019386, date of registration 25 March, 2025.