Feasibility Testing of a Tai Chi Program for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment (TCT)

Consent Rate (Arm A)

Defined as the proportion of participants enrolled out of those eligible for study entry.

Time frame: Up to 6 months (based on total accrual duration)

Consent Rate (Arm B)

Defined as the proportion of participants enrolled out of those eligible for study entry.

Time frame: Up to 6 months (based on total accrual duration)

Change in balance, strength, gait health and mobility factors from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the incidence of falls, fall-related injuries, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to measure dynamic balance and muscle flexibility (lower scores indicating higher fall risk), the Single Leg Stance Test (SLS) to evaluate static balance with eyes open and closed (abnormal values indicating balance impairment), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 30-second Chair Stand (30CS) test to assess motor performance (with lower TUG scores and higher 30CS scores reflecting better functional balance, strength, and endurance), and gait speed measurement across an 8-meter hallway under three conditions (quiet walking, fast speed, and cognitive dual task) at baseline and after 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in balance, strength, gait health and mobility factors from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the incidence of falls, fall-related injuries, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to measure dynamic balance and muscle flexibility (lower scores indicating higher fall risk), the Single Leg Stance Test (SLS) to evaluate static balance with eyes open and closed (abnormal values indicating balance impairment), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 30-second Chair Stand (30CS) test to assess motor performance (with lower TUG scores and higher 30CS scores reflecting better functional balance, strength, and endurance), and gait speed measurement across an 8-meter hallway under three conditions (quiet walking, fast speed, and cognitive dual task) at baseline and after 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the BBS, a 14-item tool to measure participant balance ability. Each task is scored on a scale from 0 to 4 with a total scores range of 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the BBS, a 14-item tool to measure participant balance ability. Each task is scored on a scale from 0 to 4 with a total scores range of 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Fall Rate from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Defined as the number of falls which occur during the intervention period. A fall is an unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) definition. Falls included are 1) those occurring on a surface where caregivers and clinicians do not expect to find a participant, and 2) falls unassisted or assisted, and 3) falls from rolling off a low bed.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Fall Rate from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Defined as the number of falls which occurred during the intervention period. A fall is an unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) definition. Falls included are 1) those occurring on a surface where caregivers and clinicians do not expect to find a participant, and 2) falls unassisted or assisted, and 3) falls from rolling off a low bed.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in the Number of Fall-Related Injuries from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

As defined by the NDNQI definitions for fall-related injuries. Injuries will be recorded by the participant in the supplied home diary and will be summarized descriptively.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in the Number of Fall-Related Injuries from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

As defined by the NDNQI definitions for fall-related injuries. Injuries will be recorded by the participant in the supplied home diary and will be summarized descriptively.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Timed-Up-And-Go (TUG) Test from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the TUG Test. Participants are instructed to stand up from a chair, walk three meters as quickly and safely as possible, turn around, walk back, and sit down. The test is timed in seconds, with a longer time indicating worse performance. Nine seconds is the cutoff for high risk of falls.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in TUG Test from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the TUG Test. Participants are instructed to stand up from a chair, walk three meters as quickly and safely as possible, turn around, walk back, and sit down. The test is timed in seconds, with a longer time indicating worse performance. Nine seconds is the cutoff for high risk of falls.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in Brief Pain Inventory-Short For (BPI-SF) Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the BPI-SF, 9-item measure of the severity of pain and pain interference in the 24 hours 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 to 12 weeks

Change in BPI-SF Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the BPI-SF, 9-item measure of the severity of pain and pain interference in the 24 hours 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 to 12 weeks

Change in the Neurotoxicity (Ntx) Subscale Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the Ntx Subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG) questionnaire. The Ntx Subscale is an 11-item measure of symptoms in the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Answers are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much" with a total scores range of 0 to 44. Higher scores represent higher functioning and fewer or less severe CIPN symptoms.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in the Neurotoxicity (Ntx) Subscale Score from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the Ntx Subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG) questionnaire. The Ntx Subscale is an 11-item measure of symptoms in the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Answers are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much" with a total scores range of 0 to 44. Higher scores represent higher functioning and fewer or less severe CIPN symptoms.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Tactile Threshold Value from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

This will be measured using a set of 20 Von Frey monofilaments. With participant's eyes closed, and starting at the smallest size filament, the clinical research coordinator (CRC) will touch the testing site at a 90-degree angle to the site surface until the filament bends for a one second duration. The CRC will continue this with ascending filament size in order until the participant reports feeling a touch sensation at the testing location. The force at which touch is perceived will be recorded as the tactile threshold. Tactile threshold will be assessed at the dorsum of the interphalangeal joint of the right and left big toes. Value will be recorded as the average of three readings.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Tactile Threshold Value from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

This will be measured using a set of 20 Von Frey monofilaments. With participant's eyes closed, and starting at the smallest size filament, the clinical research coordinator (CRC) will touch the testing site at a 90-degree angle to the site surface until the filament bends for a one second duration. The CRC will continue this with ascending filament size in order until the participant reports feeling a touch sensation at the testing location. The force at which touch is perceived will be recorded as the tactile threshold. Tactile threshold will be assessed at the dorsum of the interphalangeal joint of the right and left big toes. Value will be recorded as the average of three readings.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

Change in Vibration Threshold Value from Baseline to 12 weeks (Arm A)

This will be assessed using a handheld biothesiometer and the amplitude of vibration will be gradually increased (1 volt/second) until the sensation of vibration is first perceived by the participant. The average of three perception thresholds at the dorsal interphalangeal joint of the dominant big toe will be recorded as the vibration threshold.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in Vibration Threshold Value from Baseline to 12 weeks (Arm B)

This will be assessed using a handheld biothesiometer and the amplitude of vibration will be gradually increased (1 volt/second) until the sensation of vibration is first perceived by the participant. The average of three perception thresholds at the dorsal interphalangeal joint of the dominant big toe will be recorded as the vibration threshold.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in the Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short FES-I) from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

Assessed by the Short FES-I, a 7-item measure of concerns about falls during daily activities. Answers are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "Not at all concerned" to 4 "Very concerned" with a total scores range of 7 to 28. A higher score represents greater participant concern.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in the Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short FES-I) from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

Assessed by the Short FES-I, a 7-item measure of concerns about falls during daily activities. Answers are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "Not at all concerned" to 4 "Very concerned" with a total scores range of 7 to 28. A higher score represents greater participant concern.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in Functional Reach Test from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm A)

The FRT test is used to quantify balance ability. A participant is instructed to flex the test arm forward to 90 degrees and to reach forward as far as possible before taking a step. The reach is determined by the total excursion of the third metacarpal from the starting point (with the handheld in a fist) to the point just before balance is lost. The final score is the average of three measurements.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks

Change in Functional Reach Test from Baseline to 12 Weeks (Arm B)

The FRT test is used to quantify balance ability. A participant is instructed to flex the test arm forward to 90 degrees and to reach forward as far as possible before taking a step. The reach is determined by the total excursion of the third metacarpal from the starting point (with the handheld in a fist) to the point just before balance is lost. The final score is the average of three measurements.

Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks