Massage Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue

Phase 2

Completed

• Conditions: Prostatic Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms

• Registration Number: NCT00039793
• Lead Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to develop methods for studying the effect of bodywork therapy on symptoms of fatigue in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.

Detailed Description

The proposed project is a randomized pilot trial of a Swedish-style massage therapy intervention for the treatment of fatigue in patients who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy. Fatigue is the most common complaint of patients receiving treatment for cancer, but is often difficult to treat and causes a substantial decrement in patients' quality of life. Massage therapy is a non-invasive intervention used in many patients with cancer for symptom control. Prior small studies have suggested some efficacy of bodywork therapies in conditions characterized by fatigue, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on these results, massage therapy may provide an important adjunct in ameliorating fatigue and enhancing cancer patients' well being.

The proposed study is a 12-week, randomized, three-arm, parallel-comparison clinical trial comparing the effects of a Swedish-style massage regimen to a sham bodywork control and a usual-care group for fatigue reduction in cancer patents undergoing chemotherapy. Patients with breast, ovarian, prostate, or colo-rectal cancer will be enrolled; the primary outcome measure is a quantitative assessment of fatigue symptoms. This study will determine efficacy, functioning, perceptions of fatigue, and quality of life. This study should provide not only important data on the potential efficacy of massage therapy for the treatment of fatigue, but also advance the methodology for studying CAM interventions for difficult-to-treat symptomatic conditions.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2001-03
• Study First Submitted: 2002-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2002-06-12
• Study First Posted: 2002-06-13
• Study Completion: 2004-03
• Status Verified: 2006-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2006-08-17
• Last Update Posted: 2006-08-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 45

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Osher Center for Integrative Medicine; 🇺🇸 San Francisco, California, United States