Dance Study for Post-surgical Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute30 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine how a 12-week, virtual dance program may improve pain and quality of life in participants with persistent post-surgical pain, or PPSP, following mastectomy or lumpectomy.

This is a single-arm, Phase 1 study is to assess how a 12-week, virtual dance program may improve persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) and other participant-reported outcomes of quality of life, fatigue, and body image for breast cancer survivors following mastectomy or lumpectomy. The study procedures including screening for eligibility and surveys. Participation in this research study is expected to last up to 16 weeks. It is expected that about 30 people will take part in this research study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Breast Cancer Survivorship Pain, Postoperative

Interventions

Dance ProgramBEHAVIORAL

A 12-week, virtual dance program consisting of seated and standing choreography and contemporary style elements will be taught by a certified dance instructor. Sessions will be conducted by the HIPAA-compliant, video-conferencing platform, Zoom.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * History of Stage 0-III invasive breast cancer * Having undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy * Moderate to severe persistent post-surgical pain, as defined by pain scores ≥3 on a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0-10 (10 being the most severe pain) at least 3 months after completion of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation * Pain scores of 3-4 are categorized as moderate pain; scores of 5-10 are categorized as severe pain26 * Age ≥ 18 years * Able to read and understand English (to complete required questionnaires and participate in classes) * Ability to provide informed consent * Ability to perform seated exercises Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable cardiovascular disease in the last 6 months * Psychiatric disorders or conditions that would preclude participation in the study intervention (e.g. untreated major depression or psychosis, untreated substance use disorder, severe personality disorder) * Metastatic breast or other concurrent cancer * Pregnant * Recent history of attending regular dance or similar classes (e.g. yoga or tai chi classes i.e. 20 or more classes in the past 6 months) * Planned surgery anticipated during the intervention period * History of a chronic medical condition that has the potential to significantly impact upper extremity function (e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis) * Currently enrolled in a physical therapy course * Presence of medical conditions or medications that would prohibit participation in an exercise program

Locations (1)

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast Symptom Index (FACT-B+4) Total Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks

Assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast Symptom Index (FACT-B+4), a 42-item measure of physical, emotional, social and functional well-being, as well as breast cancer specific symptomology associated with upper extremity dysfunction during the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale with answers ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much." A total scores range is 0 to 168 with a higher score indicating better quality of life.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change in the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI SF) Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks

Assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI SF), a 9-item measure of the severity of pain and pain interference in the 24 hour prior to questionnaire administrations. A simple numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 is used for item rating, and a total score is the mean of the item ratings. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and greater interference with function.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) Total Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks

Assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), a 13-item measure of the intensity of fatigue experienced during the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale with answers ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "very much" and items 7 and 8 being reversed score. A total scores range is 0 to 52 with a higher score indicating better quality of life.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation Scale (CARES) Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks

Assessed by the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation Scale (CARES), a 6-item measure of body image and self-esteem by measuring negative feelings about the body and self-perception in the month prior to questionnaire administration. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale with answers ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much." A total scores range is 0 to 24 with a higher score indicating greater negative body image and self-esteem.

Central Contacts

Jennifer Ligibel, MD

CONTACT

617-632-3800 jennifer_ligibel@dfci.harvard.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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