Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this research study is to understand effects of a complementary medicine therapy, Healing Touch on quality of life and immunity of patients who are receiving treatment for breast cancer. Healing Touch is a Holistic Therapy used as an adjunct to medical treatment. The goal of Healing Touch is to restore energy and vitality to the body as a patient is receiving treatment for cancer. Treatments include light touch on specific points on the body as well as around the body, to increase well-being and support the body's ability to heal. Healing Touch has been shown to increase relaxation and well-being and to decrease anxiety, pain, and treatment side effects in a variety of illnesses including cancer. Although Healing Touch is frequently used by cancer patients along with their medical treatments, very little is understood about the effects of this treatment on the immune system. The immune system is known to be important in the body's response to fighting cancer. We are studying Healing Touch to help us understand whether or not these treatments are effective in supporting the immune system during breast cancer treatment

Aim 1. To evaluate effects of a healing touch (HT) intervention on cellular immunity among early stage breast cancer patients during radiotherapy.

Aim 2. To evaluate effects of a Healing Touch (HT) intervention on cytokines associated with radiation damage and acute skin reactions in early stage breast cancer patients during radiotherapy.

Aim 3. To evaluate the effects of a Healing Touch intervention on fatigue and mood in early stage breast cancer patients during radiation treatment.


Clinical Trial Description

Breast cancer patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in greater proportions than any other group of cancer patients. The primary reason breast cancer patients cite for use of CAM is strengthening the immune system. Healing touch (HT) is a CAM treatment frequently used by cancer patients to reduce adverse side effects of chemotherapy and radiation and to enhance immunity. HT is classified by NIH as a "biofield" therapy as its effects are proposed to be secondary to manipulation of "energy fields" around the body of a patient. A recent meta-analysis has demonstrated relatively large effects of HT on well-being and on physiological parameters, even from brief treatments. However, to date, there are no data on the effects of HT on immune function among breast cancer patients during treatment. This is particularly important as several immune parameters show long-term suppression or alteration, particularly after combined adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation among breast cancer patients. Additionally, there are no data on the effects of HT on the common side effects of breast cancer treatment which can include profound fatigue and radiation-induced skin damage. Physiological mechanisms underlying possible effects of HT are also poorly understood. This study is designed to reduce this knowledge gap by examining how HT affects cellular immune function and biomarkers related to two of the most problematic side effects of breast cancer treatment, fatigue and radiation-induced tissue damage. Effects on the subjective experience of fatigue and clinician rated skin damage will also be noted. Participants will be 42 early stage breast cancer patients who are receiving a standard course of radiotherapy following breast conservation surgery or mastectomy who have either had chemotherapy or not

The significance of the project is as follows. If positive effects are demonstrated on intermediate outcomes such as immune parameters, markers of radiation damage, and/or fatigue, follow-up studies would be warranted examining effects of HT on a) recurrence and survival, b) incidence of long term side effects of radiation, c) quality of life among breast cancer patients. Additionally, if effects of HT are demonstrated, a critical examination of putative mechanisms of action, using controls for effect of attention, expectation, and other placebo effects will be warranted. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00565305
Study type Interventional
Source University of Iowa
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date July 2003
Completion date November 2009

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04681911 - Inetetamab Combined With Pyrotinib and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 2
Completed NCT04890327 - Web-based Family History Tool N/A
Terminated NCT04066790 - Pyrotinib or Trastuzumab Plus Nab-paclitaxel as Neoadjuvant Therapy in HER2-positive Breast Cancer Phase 2
Completed NCT03591848 - Pilot Study of a Web-based Decision Aid for Young Women With Breast Cancer, During the Proposal for Preservation of Fertility N/A
Recruiting NCT03954197 - Evaluation of Priming Before in Vitro Maturation for Fertility Preservation in Breast Cancer Patients N/A
Terminated NCT02202746 - A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the VEGFR-FGFR-PDGFR Inhibitor, Lucitanib, Given to Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT01472094 - The Hurria Older PatiEnts (HOPE) With Breast Cancer Study
Completed NCT06049446 - Combining CEM and Magnetic Seed Localization of Non-Palpable Breast Tumors
Withdrawn NCT06057636 - Hypnosis for Pain in Black Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Feasibility Study N/A
Recruiting NCT05560334 - A Single-Arm, Open, Exploratory Clinical Study of Pemigatinib in the Treatment of HER2-negative Advanced Breast Cancer Patients With FGFR Alterations Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT05501769 - ARV-471 in Combination With Everolimus for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic ER+, HER2- Breast Cancer Phase 1
Recruiting NCT04631835 - Phase I Study of the HS-10352 in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer Phase 1
Completed NCT04307407 - Exercise in Breast Cancer Survivors N/A
Recruiting NCT03544762 - Correlation of 16α-[18F]Fluoro-17β-estradiol PET Imaging With ESR1 Mutation Phase 3
Terminated NCT02482389 - Study of Preoperative Boost Radiotherapy N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT00068003 - Harvesting Cells for Experimental Cancer Treatments
Completed NCT00226967 - Stress, Diurnal Cortisol, and Breast Cancer Survival
Recruiting NCT06037954 - A Study of Mental Health Care in People With Cancer N/A
Recruiting NCT06006390 - CEA Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Lymphocytes (CAR-T) in the Treatment of CEA Positive Advanced Solid Tumors Phase 1/Phase 2
Recruiting NCT06019325 - Rhomboid Intercostal Plane Block on Chronic Pain Incidence and Acute Pain Scores After Mastectomy N/A