This study aimed to investigate the influence of feelings of guilt among cancer patients on their health behavior, with a specific focus on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 162 oncological patients, assessing sociodemographic variables, feelings of guilt, patient activation, self-efficacy, and CAM usage. The Shame-Guilt-Scale was employed to measure guilt, with subscales including punitive guilt, self-criticism (actions), moral perfectionism, and empathy-reparation. To assess patient activation and self-efficacy, we used the German Version of the Patient Activation Measure 13 and the Short Scale for Measuring General Safe-efficacy Beliefs, respectively. To evaluate CAM-usage, we used a standardized instrument from the working group Prevention and Integrative Oncology of the German Cancer Society. Statistical analyses, including regression models, were employed to examine potential associations.

Female gender was associated with more frequent CAM usage. Regarding holistic and mind-body-methods, younger patients more often used these methods. No significant association was found between feelings of guilt and CAM usage. Patients experienced guilt most strongly related to empathy and reparation for their own actions.

Our results do not support the hypothesis of a direct link between guilt and CAM usage. Guilt may be an important aspect in psychological support for cancer patients, yet, with respect to counselling on CAM, it does not play an important part to understand patients’ motivations.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has tremendous morbidity burden owing to disease management and complication prevention. Behavior modification identified as a key to management includes healthy diet and regular physical activity (PA). This study aims to identify patterns and preferences of PA of T2D patients and explore perceived enablers and barriers for diabetes control in Bhubaneswar.

Cross-sectional, facility-based study conducted in the private sector from June to August 2014 recruited 321 T2D patients using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and associations of PA were computed.

Almost two-thirds of patients (59%) were reported performing PA frequently. Majority patients cited walking as the most preferred mode of PA (79%) with 41% performing PA daily. Actual versus perceived weight was a complete mismatch with most patients misjudging their weight. Reasons for enabling PA included ‘controlling diabetes’ and ‘doctor’s advice’ as key factors, while ‘lack of time’ and ‘unwillingness’ were main barriers among inactive patients.

Counseling on PA by physicians during routine visits, along with tailored or patient-specific interventions should be considered. Focus on social support for positive behavioral changes and motivation play a central role in diabetes control.