The Vitality Project for Fatigued Female Cancer Survivors

The Miriam Hospital75 enrolled

Overview

This parallel, randomized, non-inferiority trial will examine whether a ten week qigong intervention is not inferior to a ten week exercise-nutrition comparison group in reducing fatigue in cancer survivors. To build a more mechanistic understanding of physiological changes associated with fatigue reduction, it will secondly collect several different types of data to build an integrative brain-body model of vigor in cancer survivorship including: 1. data related to neural correlates of body awareness: cortical EEG data measuring each subject's ability to use attention to control neurons in primary somatosensory cortex (replication of Kerr et al 2011 study in mindfulness), and resting state fMRI measures of insular connectivity with nodes of the default mode network and salience network 2. data related to inflammation measured via inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 and tnf-alpha) 3. data related to cardiorespiratory functioning including cardiac impedance (ICG) and mechanical lung function 4. data related to parasympathetic and sympathetic signaling between the nervous system and the rest of the periphery.

The purpose of this study is to examine the therapeutic effects of movement and body awareness on recovery from cancer-related fatigue. In the current study, 60-80 female cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue will be recruited who have been out of treatment for at least eight weeks. They will be randomized to either a 10-week qigong contemplative movement course or a 10 -week exercise-nutrition course. This study is designed as a non-inferiority trial to test the primary hypothesis that a ten week qigong intervention is not inferior to a ten week exercise-nutrition active comparator group in reducing fatigue in female cancer survivors (assessed via the FACIT-Fatigue scale). If non-inferiority is demonstrated during analysis, the data will be further analyzed to examine whether the qigong group significantly decreases fatigue more than the healthy living comparison group. The FACIT-Fatigue scale will be delivered at three time points: before the intervention starts (T1), after it ends (T2), and three months after the intervention has ended (T3). Further, this study will directly examine the underlying physiological mechanisms by which each intervention exerts its effects. Participants will be tested pre (T1) and post (T2) intervention on a variety of measures across multiple bodily and brain systems (eg EEG, fMRI, EMG, ECG, ICG, mechanical lung function, Doppler flowmetry, serum cytokines, muscle strength, 6 min walk test) to assess changes in these systems that are associated with reduction of fatigue and improvement of the subjective sense of vitality and energy. The data will be used to test whether conscious attention to bodily sensations cultivated in contemplative movement practices (i.e. Qigong) can actually impact levels of inflammation in the periphery as well as cortical measures of interoceptive awareness (ie resting state insula connectivity), and whether these changes will be associated with fatigue reduction. The secondary hypothesis is that decreased inflammation levels in the blood will be correlated with reduction in fatigue at post intervention as well as changes in neural markers of interoceptive and bodily awareness, and that this effect will be stronger in the qigong group.

Interventions

QigongBEHAVIORAL

Qigong is a form of gentle mind-body movement that originates in China and has traditionally been used for healing purposes. It has been reported to improve energy levels, as well as strength and endurance and mental clarity and equanimity. This study will assess how a 10-week qigong intervention compares to an exercise-nutrition intervention in improving fatigue and vitality in female cancer survivors. On a secondary level, we will asses changes in underlying brain, heart, and peripheral dynamics that occur as a result of the qigong practice to develop a mechanistic understanding of qigong's efficacy.

Healthy Living (CHIP + Pre-Train)BEHAVIORAL

The Healthy Living active comparator intervention includes two components: plant based nutrition counseling via the Comprehensive Health Improvement Program (CHIP) and core strengthening exercises and light aerobic activity via the Pre-Train exercise program.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female patients * Aged 18-70 years * Have completed a course of chemotherapy cancer treatment (except for ongoing treatment with Herceptin \[trastuzumab\] or other adjuvant therapies), AND/OR radiation treatment, AND/OR surgery, with no surgery, radiation or chemotherapy received in the past 8 weeks. * Endorse a 3/10 or above for the question "On a scale of one to ten, in the last week, how much has your fatigue interfered with your daily life, with 1 being not at all, and 10 being all the time" AND/OR "On a scale of one to ten, in the last week, how much have you felt your sleep has been disturbed or of a quality that you have not felt rested when you wake up, with 1 being not at all, and 10 being all the time" * Have a primary care or other physician * Ability to understand English * Willingness to have blood drawn * Willingness to have an EEG, EKG, and EMG taken * Willingness to complete questionnaires * Willingness and ability to undergo an fMRI scan (screening parameters for this are included below) \[optional: participant doesn't have to do this if it will represent too much burden to the participant, or if they have other contraindications to fMRI such as metal in the body, etc.\] * Ability to pass basic validated physical movement tests (e.g.: standing with feet touching for 30 seconds, twist right to left and back, hold arms out to side in air for 15 seconds, lift arms over head, moving from standing position to seated position on the floor) to verify safety for qigong and exercise practices Exclusion Criteria: * History or current diagnosis of coronary artery or coronary heart disease * History or current diagnosis of heart attack, or heart murmur * Electrical Pacemaker Implant in heart * Peripheral neuropathy in hands * History or current diagnosis of any other MAJOR psychiatric disorder (including psychosis, or mania, or suicidal or homicidal ideation) besides depression or anxiety * Active alcohol or drug abuse * Tobacco use * Pregnancy * Ingestion of caffeine or cocoa products less than two hours from data collection * Inability to participate in gentle exercises (like pilates)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Reduction in Fatigue (via FACIT-Fatigue scale)

Fatigue assessed via the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) questionnaire

Time frame: Measured at baseline (time 1) and after 10-week intervention (time 2) and 3 months after end of intervention (time 3)