scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Plus Auricular Acupressure for Chemotherapy-Associated Insomnia in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110191
Author(s):  
Jialing Zhang ◽  
Zongshi Qin ◽  
Tsz Him So ◽  
Haiyong Chen ◽  
Wing Lok Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Sleep Diary ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Auricular Acupressure

Objective: Chemotherapy-associated insomnia is a highly prevalent complaint in breast cancer patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of electroacupuncture plus auricular acupressure for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, wait-list controlled trial, thirty breast cancer patients under or post chemotherapy with insomnia were randomly allocated to the acupuncture or wait-list control group. Participants in acupuncture group received electroacupuncture plus auricular acupressure treatment twice weekly for 6 weeks. Participants in wait-list group received the same regimen of treatment after 6-week of waiting period. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) served as the primary outcome measurement. Secondary outcomes were sleep parameters recorded with sleep diary and actiwatch, as well as the scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Results: Twenty-eight participants completed study (13 in the acupuncture group vs 15 in the wait-list control group). At week-6 post-intervention, ISI score change from baseline showed significant between-group difference favoring acupuncture group of −2.9 points (95% CI: −5.2 to −0.6, P = .014). The acupuncture group showed greater improvements in the total sleep time recorded by sleep diary ( P = .026), scores of PSQI ( P = .012), HADS-depression ( P = .020), and FACT-B ( P < .001) compared with the control group. Improvements were maintained at week-10 and week-14 follow-ups. Conclusions: Acupuncture is safe, feasible, and effective for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients under or post chemotherapy. A larger sample size randomized clinical trial is warranted to confirm the present findings. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03762694.

scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Plus Auricular Acupressure on Chemotherapy-Related Insomnia in Patients With Breast Cancer (EACRI): Study Protocol for a Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110586
Author(s):  
Jialing Zhang ◽  
Mingxiao Yang ◽  
Tsz Him So ◽  
Tien Yee Chang ◽  
Zongshi Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Sleep Diary ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Auricular Acupressure

Objective Insomnia is a highly prevalent and disturbing symptom in breast cancer patients under or post chemotherapy. If not appropriately treated, it can persist for years after the completion of cancer treatments. Acupuncture has been widely used for alleviating insomnia. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility, efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chemotherapy-related insomnia among patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods This is a trial protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled, subject- and assessor-blinded clinical trial. A total of 138 eligible participants will be assigned randomly to acupuncture or sham control group at a ratio of 1:1. Participants in acupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture (EA) plus auricular acupressure (AA) treatment, while subjects in sham acupuncture group will receive sham EA plus sham AA. Both acupuncture and sham treatments will be given twice weekly for 6 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments once every 4 weeks for 12 weeks (15 sessions totally). The primary outcome is the change of Insomnia Severity Index score between baseline and the end of 6-week treatment. Secondary outcome measurements include Actiwatch, sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Acupuncture Expectancy Scale, credibility, and adverse events. Participants will be followed up to 42 weeks. Conclusions This trial will expand our understanding of the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for alleviating chemotherapy-related insomnia in patients with breast cancer. EA plus AA, if proven to be effective, can be implemented into routine settings to play a role in insomnia management for patients with breast cancer.

Cluster Symptoms Reduction via Telephone-Based Intervention in Thai Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing 4-Cycle Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-894
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Cluster symptoms are a common occurrence in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The telephone is a well-recognized, convenient device for reaching out to patients for monitoring and managing their symptoms in an efficient, prompt, and appropriate manner. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of telephone-based intervention to achieve energy conservation among breast cancer patients with the aim of alleviating fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and depression. Materials and Methods: The present study was a two-armed, randomized control trial conducted in the university hospital between March and September 2019. Seventy-four breast cancer patients, receiving four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, were randomly recruited and assigned into the experimental group and the control group. One face-to-face intervention interview for energy conservation was conducted, followed by 20-minutes telephone brief counselling and assessment sessions, scheduled on day 1, 2, 7, and 14. Results: The scores for symptoms of median fatigue and pain in the experimental group were shown to be significantly reduced at the end of the study as compared to those scores within the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, scores for median sleep time and depression were greater at the end of cycle 1 and highest in cycle 2 (p<0.05, 0.001, respectively). Physical activity levels were also higher in the experimental group than in the control group in every cycle, with a statistical significance (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study intervention demonstrated an effectiveness for the reduction of cluster symptoms. Further studies would be needed in a larger population scale in the customary, randomized controlled trial manner. Keywords: Cancer; Energy conservation; Fatigue; Pain; Sleep; Telephone

scholarly journals Effectiveness of yoga on anxiety, depression and stress level of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Kamli Prakash ◽  
Sunil Saini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Breast cancer has ranked number one cancer among Indian females. Women undergoing chemotherapy experience many side effects including alteration in their body image. The present study assessed effectiveness of yoga on anxiety, depression and stress level of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: Quantitative Research approach and Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial with Time series design was adopted in the present study. The consecutive sampling technique was done to recruit 100 breast cancer patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Recruited patients were randomized to control (N=52) and experiment (N=48) groups by concealed randomization. Written informed consent was taken from each participant. Baseline data was collected during cycle one by using Anxiety depression and stress scale. The patients in the experimental group were taught Diaphragmatic breathing, systematic relaxation and alternate nostril breathing and Joints and Gland neck and shoulder exercises, and were instructed to practice them twice daily at home. They were supervised in practicing these when they received second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles of chemotherapy. Participants in control group received routine care. Data was again collected after 21 days during second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles of chemotherapy.Results: Analysis revealed that at the baseline breast cancer patients in control and experimental group were homogenous in terms of their Sociodemographic and anxiety depression and stress scores. After the yoga intervention the experimental group showed statistically significant difference in anxiety scores from control group during second, third and sixth cycles (p 0.01, p 0.02, p 0.02), in depression score during the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles (p 0.02, p 0.02, p 0.02, p 0.001, p 0.000), and in stress scores during third cycle (p 0.01) of chemotherapy.Conclusions: On the basis of findings of the study it was concluded that yoga was effective in reducing the anxiety, depression and stress of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, it is recommended as complementary therapy for patients receiving treatment for cancer. 

Long Term Effects of Behavioural Interventions to Increase Exercise Among Breast Cancer Patients After Medical Rehabilitation: secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (04) ◽  
pp. 215-223
Author(s):  
Anne-Kathrin Exner ◽  
Heike Kähnert ◽  
Odile Sauzet ◽  
Birgit Leibbrand ◽  
Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Medical Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) as secondary prevention for breast cancer patients has many positive effects. To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention involving behavioural and volitional strategies to increase exercise. Materials and Methods The study designed as a randomized controlled trail with 2 follow-up (6 and 12 months after rehabilitation). 1,143 participants were randomized to one of the 4 study groups. Group differences were analysed by multi-level-models. Results After rehab, patients with the combined modules, aftercare-planning (AP) and telephone-support (TS), did exercise 69 min per week (95% CI: 42.85; 94.90) more than the control group. Inactive patients at the beginning of the rehabilitation benefit from the combined intervention. The phone-based intervention alone did not show any effect. Discussion and Conclusion Rehab with the AP module combined with the TS module is associated with patients undertaking more PA.

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (35) ◽  
pp. 5584-5590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Deng ◽  
Andrew J. Vickers ◽  
K. Simon Yeung ◽  
Gabriella M. D'Andrea ◽  
Han Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Sham Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Hot Flashes ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Hot Flash

Purpose To determine the immediate and long-term effects of true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on hot flash frequency in women with breast cancer. Patients and Methods Seventy-two women with breast cancer experiencing three or more hot flashes per day were randomly assigned to receive either true or sham acupuncture. Interventions were given twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Hot flash frequency was evaluated at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months after initiation of treatment. Patients initially randomly assigned to the sham group were crossed over to true acupuncture starting at week 7. Results The mean number of hot flashes per day was reduced from 8.7 (standard deviation [SD], 3.9) to 6.2 (SD, 4.2) in the true acupuncture group and from 10.0 (SD, 6.1) to 7.6 (SD, 5.7) in the sham group. True acupuncture was associated with 0.8 fewer hot flashes per day than sham at 6 weeks, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (95% CI, −0.7 to 2.4; P = .3). When participants in the sham acupuncture group were crossed over to true acupuncture, a further reduction in the frequency of hot flashes was seen. This reduction in hot flash frequency persisted for up to 6 months after the completion of treatment. Conclusion Hot flash frequency in breast cancer patients was reduced following acupuncture. However, when compared with sham acupuncture, the reduction by the acupuncture regimen as provided in the current study did not reach statistical significance. We cannot exclude the possibility that a longer and more intense acupuncture intervention could produce a larger reduction of these symptoms.

scholarly journals Laughter and Stress Relief in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Kim ◽  
Y. H. Kim ◽  
H. J. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Numerical Rating ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a therapeutic laughter program and the number of program sessions on anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 31 patients who received four sessions of therapeutic laughter program comprised and 29 who were assigned to the no-program control group. Scores for anxiety, depression, and stress were measured using an 11-point numerical rating scale. While no change was detected in the control group, the program group reported reductions of 1.94, 1.84, and 2.06 points for anxiety, depression, and stress, respectively (p<0.01,p<0.01, andp<0.01). Scores decreased significantly after the first therapeutic laughter session (p<0.05,p<0.01, andp<0.01). As the therapeutic laughter program was effective after only a single session in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients, it could be recommended as a first-line complementary/alternative therapy.

The effects of the Bali Yoga Program (BYP-BC) on reducing psychological symptoms in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: results of a randomized, partially blinded, controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Lanctôt ◽  
Gilles Dupuis ◽  
Roger Marcaurell ◽  
Annélie S. Anestin ◽  
Madan Bali
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Yoga Intervention

AbstractBackgroundSeveral cognitive behavioral interventions have been reported to reduce psychological symptoms in breast cancer (BC) patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga intervention in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in BC patients.MethodsThis study was a randomized, partially blinded, controlled trial comparing a standardized yoga intervention to standard care. It was conducted at three medical centers in Montreal, Canada. Eligible patients were women diagnosed with stage I–III BC receiving chemotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive yoga intervention immediately (experimental group, n=58) or after a waiting period (n=43 control group). The Bali Yoga Program for Breast Cancer Patients (BYP-BC) consisted of 23 gentle Hatha asanas (poses), 2 prayanamas (breathing techniques), shavasanas (relaxation corpse poses) and psychoeducational themes. Participants attended eight weekly sessions lasting 90 min each and received a DVD for home practice with 20- and 40-min sessions. Participants in the wait list control group received standard care during the 8-week waiting period.ResultsA total of 101 participants took part in the final intention-to-treat analyses. The repeated measures analyses demonstrated that depression symptoms increased in the control group (p=0.007), while no change was reported in the BYP-BC group (p=0.29). Also, depression symptoms decreased in the WL control group after receiving the BYP-BC intervention (p=0.03). Finally, there was no statistical significance in terms of anxiety symptoms (p=0.10).ConclusionsResults support the BYP-BC intervention as a beneficial means of reducing and preventing the worsening of depression symptoms during chemotherapy treatment.

Assessment of Care by Breast Cancer Patients Participating or Not Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial: A Report With the Patients' Committee for Clinical Trials of the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 3038-3044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Julian-Reynier ◽  
Jean Genève ◽  
Florence Dalenc ◽  
Dominique Genre ◽  
Alain Monnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
General Level ◽  
Satisfaction With Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Cancer patients participating in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been found to have better clinical outcomes than other patients. Our objective was to assess the impact of RCTs on patients' satisfaction with care. Patients and Methods A prospective study was carried out in a cohort of women with breast cancer (N = 455) divided into those invited to participate in an RCT (201 acceptances, 66 refusals) and a comparable control group not invited to participate (n = 188). All the patients underwent the same treatment (fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2 for six cycles). One and 7 months after the beginning of chemotherapy, self-administered satisfaction scores were used to compare the women's assessment of their care (Comprehensive Assessment of Satisfaction with Care validated scale). Results At the beginning of chemotherapy, women to whom RCT had been proposed rated the doctors' availability (average ± standard deviation [SD]: RCT acceptance group, 3.60 ± 0.78; RCT refusal group, 3.68 ± 0.87; control group, 3.41 ± 0.82; P ≤ .02) and the doctors' communication (average ± SD: RCT acceptance group, 3.56 ± 0.88; RCT refusal group, 3.67 ± 0.88; control group, 3.39 ± 0.84; P ≤ .05) higher than those to whom the trial was not proposed. After the treatment, participants in the RCT felt that their doctor was more supportive (average ± SD: RCT acceptance group, 3.04 ± 0.92; control group, 2.77 ± 0.85; P = .005) and more informative about their illness and treatment (average ± SD: RCT acceptance group, 3.34 ± 0.88; control group, 3.08 ± 0.92; P = .006) than those in the control group. The general level of satisfaction was also higher in the RCT acceptance group. Conclusion Women participating in an RCT have a more positive picture of their doctors' care than others, probably because of the structural effects of the informed consent and data collection processes.

scholarly journals Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Cognitive Function and Cancer-related Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Wei ◽  
Ruzhen Yuan ◽  
Juan Yang ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Yongmei Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Purpose Cognitive decline is one of the main side effects of breast cancer patients after relevant treatment, but there is a lack of clear measures for prevention and management without definite mechanism. Moreover, postoperative patients also have a need for limb rehabilitation. Whether the cognitive benefits of Baduanjin exercise can improve the overall well-being of this breast cancer patients remains unknown. This study aims to figure out these problems in the under-researched Chinese population.Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy who were randomly assigned and allocated to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the control group for three months. The effects of Baduanjin exercise intervention were evaluated by outcome measures including subjective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression and anxiety) and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3). The collected data were analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling.Results Participants in the Baduanjin group had a significantly greater improvement in terms of FACT-cog (F=14.511; P < 0.001), PCI (F=15.915; P < 0.001), PCA (F=2.767; P= 0.047), and health-related quality of life (F=8.900; p = 0.004) compared with the control group over the time. The exercise-cognition relationship was significantly mediated by reduced fatigue (indirect effect: β= 0.132; 95% CI: 0.046, 0.237) and improved anxiety (indirect effect: β=-0.075; 95% CI: -0.165, -0.004).Conclusions This pilot study revealed the benefits and outlined the underlying mediating mechanism of Baduanjin exercise to the subjective cognition and health-related quality of life of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to promote brain health and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.Trial registration number ChiCTR 2000033152

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