Occupational Therapy and Horticulture for Cancer Survivors With Chronic Pain

N/ACompletedNCT03951922

Loma Linda University9 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to explore the impact of a therapeutic horticulture program as an occupation-based intervention to address chronic pain symptoms for cancer survivors. The main objectives are to assess participants' perceptions of pain, physical and psychosocial wellness, stress management, and quality of life at pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up. Quantitative and qualitative data will be synthesized and analyzed to explore this phenomenon.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Cancer Survivor Chronic Pain

Interventions

Horticultural activityBEHAVIORAL

Therapeutic horticulture activities are plant-related activities that include but not limited to digging, watering, planting, weeding, trimming, fertilizing, mulching, harvesting, learning about organic farming, and exploring options to incorporate horticulture into daily activities

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 64 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 - 64 years of age * History of cancer diagnosis * Chronic pain longer than 3 months * Have interest in therapeutic horticulture and exercise * Able to participate in a moderate physical activity in sitting and/or standing for at least one hour twice a week * Able to provide own transportation to the horticulture site or the supervised exercise program * Able to comprehend, speak and write in English Exclusion Criteria: * Uncontrolled seizure disorder * Pregnancy

Locations (1)

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Salivary Cortisol Test

Participant stress level will be determined by salivary cortisol levels. Participant's salivary cortisol level will be measured at awakening, 30 minutes following awakening and bedtime. Typically, there is Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), which is a steep rise in cortisol output during the first 30 minutes following awakening, followed by a steady decline across the morning, afternoon, and evening hours, with the daily nadir typically occurring around midnight. Flattened diurnal cortisol slope relates to increased emotional and psychosocial stress and related to worse health outcomes. The typical Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is defined as an increase of at least 2.5 nmol/l from the cortisol level taken at awakening. Although there are no agreed norms for the absolute concentrations of free cortisol in saliva it typically ranges between 4.7-18.5 nmol/l for post-awakening, between 8.6-21.9 nmol/l for 30 minutes post-awakening, and 0.3-15.2 nmol/l for bedtime.

Time frame: Change between baseline and three months

Secondary Outcomes

Lower body strength

Chair Stand testing measures the strength of the lower body. Average scores for this testing are 15 reps for women and 16 reps for men.

Time frame: Change between baseline and three months

Upper body strength

Arm Curl testing measures the strength of the upper body. Average scores for this testing are 16 reps for women and 19 reps for men.

Time frame: Change between baseline and three months

Endurance

2 Minutes Step testing measures the endurance or physical stamina. Average scores for this testing are 91 times for women and 101 times for men.

Time frame: Change between baseline and three months

Lower body flexibility

Chair Sit and Reach testing measures lower body flexibility, specifically your hamstring flexibility. Average scores for this testing are +2 inches for women and + 0.5 inches for men.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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