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Tai Chi for Relieving Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia in Patients With Stage I-III Breast Cancer, the TaiChi4Joint Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Interventions
Other: Tai Chi
Device: FitBit
Other: Support Group Therapy
Other: Questionnaire Administration
Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment
Registration Number
NCT04716920
Lead Sponsor
Thomas Jefferson University
Brief Summary

This trial studies new methods using Tai Chi for the relief of joint pain (arthralgia) caused by an aromatase inhibitor in patients with stage I-III breast cancer. Tai Chi is a mind-body therapy that integrates moderate physical activity, deep breathing and meditation. Tai Chi may help to reduce aromatase inhibitor-induced joint pain, and offer a promising approach to managing symptoms in cancer patients.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention for relieving aromatase inhibitor (AI)-induced arthralgia in women with breast cancer (BCa).

OUTLINE:

Patients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour twice weekly (BIW) and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
39
Inclusion Criteria
  • Be able to speak and read English
  • Been diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer (BC)
  • Had completed all active treatments
  • Had been receiving an AI (anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane) for at least 3 months
  • Had joint (knee, hand or hip) pain or stiffness that started or worsened after the initiation of AI
  • Report worst pain in the past week >= 4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale
  • Be willing to adhere to all study procedures
Exclusion Criteria
  • Has been diagnosed with another form of cancer in the past 5 years
  • Uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, or infectious disease
  • Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m^2
  • Currently attending any mind-body therapy classes (e.g. yoga)
  • Joint pain due to inflammatory arthritic condition (such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or gout, which will be assessed during eligibility screening with patient self-reported data and will be screened through electronic medical record [EMR] data)
  • Had surgery or joint infection in the past 6 months
  • Currently taking corticosteroids or opioids, have discontinued or plan to discontinue AI in the next 6 months

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Supportive Care (Tai Chi, Fitbit, Tai4Chijoint group)Support Group TherapyPatients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour BIW and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.
Supportive Care (Tai Chi, Fitbit, Tai4Chijoint group)Quality-of-Life AssessmentPatients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour BIW and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.
Supportive Care (Tai Chi, Fitbit, Tai4Chijoint group)Tai ChiPatients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour BIW and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.
Supportive Care (Tai Chi, Fitbit, Tai4Chijoint group)FitBitPatients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour BIW and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.
Supportive Care (Tai Chi, Fitbit, Tai4Chijoint group)Questionnaire AdministrationPatients attend Tai Chi exercise classes over 1 hour BIW and wear a Fitbit device for up to 12 weeks. Patients are encouraged to complete self-practice over 30 minutes and record practice times daily in a diary log form. Patients also join a Facebook private TaiChi4joint group where they receive instructional videos matching the progress of weekly classes for at-home practices and peer support in Tai Chi engagement.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Tai Chi practiceUp to 12 weeks

Examples include documenting potential issues that participants think might be intervention-related.

Assess the client's perspective on the value of services receivedUp to 36 weeks

Will be assessed using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Qualitatively, five questions, adapted from previous yoga research will be used in post-intervention patient interview.

Assessment of Sleep qualityUp to 12 weeks

Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index will be used to for subjective sleep assessment, which includes multiple sleep-related variables over the preceding month.

Cancer-related distressUp to 12 weeks

Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale will be used to assess depressive symptoms.

Assess pain, pain severity, and pain interferenceup to 12 weeks

Brief Pain Inventory will be used to assess worst pain, pain severity, and pain interference over the past week.

FatigueUp to 12 weeks

Fatigue Symptom Inventory will be used to measure change in fatigue among breast cancer (BCa) patients and with strong internal consistency.

Lower-extremity joint symptomsUp to 12 weeks

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index will be used to assess pain in the past 7 days in three domains: pain, stiffness, and physical function; higher scores indicating worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.

Pain, stiffness, and physical function in the handsUp to 12 weeks

Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis (OA) Hand Index will be used to assess pain, stiffness, and physical function in the hands.

Effects of Hot Flashes on Quality of lifeUp to 12 weeks

Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale will be used to measure the effect of hot flashes on overall quality of life and on nine specific activities: work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, mood, concentration, relations with others, sexuality, and enjoyment of life.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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