Cervix Neoplasms
Conditions
Keywords
Relaxation Techniques, Radiation, Drug Therapy, Healing Touch
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of healing touch and relaxation therapy on cervical cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Detailed description
The side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment are often severe and can have devastating effects on the mental and physical well-being of cancer patients. This study will determine whether healing touch and relaxation therapy are effective in minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment in cervical cancer patients. Participants in this study will receive weekly chemotherapy and daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care (SC), SC plus relaxation therapy, or SC plus healing touch therapy. The relaxation therapy consists of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. The healing touch therapy involves an energy-based modality in which health care practitioners stimulate the energy fields surrounding the patient. A physician-completed assessment and measures of immune function will be used to assess the well-being and overall quality of life of participants.
Interventions
Sponsors
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Stage Ib1-IVa cervical cancer * Treatment with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Exclusion criteria
* Immunosuppressive disorders * Use of immunosuppressive medications * Transplant recipient * Metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer * History of any other type of cancer
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| natural killer cell cytotoxicity | Baseline to week 6 |
| T-cell counts | Baseline to week 6 |
| side effects | Baseline to week 6 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| distress | Baseline to week 6 |
| salivary cortisol | Baseline to post-treatment |
| WBC and RBC | Baseline to week 6 |
| days of treatment delay | Baseline to week 6 |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed