Breast Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
Complementary Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Breast Cancer
Brief summary
The primary objectives of this study are to determine if the use of Guided Relaxation Training (GRT) during cancer treatment in individuals with newly diagnosed breast cancer increases their ability to cope as measured by the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) and reduces their perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Detailed description
This is a study of self-reported stress in individuals with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Subjects will be randomized to either the standard of care (SOC) arm or the intervention arm. The principle investigators will be blinded to the arm assignment. The intervention utilized will be six weekly on-site GRT sessions. In addition, subjects will be provided with a CD utilizing a standardized GRT script and music for home use twice daily during the study period. During the intervention period, they will also be provided with a diary and required to keep a record of date and time of CD utilization at home. The subjects will also be required to record their stress level before and after each of the two home sessions. The sessions must be at least 4 hours apart. The SOC arm will consist of an education session with the nurse or nurse practitioner and supportive care / symptom management as needed. This group will also be required to keep a daily diary in which they record their stress levels twice daily, at intervals separated by at least 4 hours.
Interventions
OTHERGRT (Guided Relaxation Training)
Weekly on-site GRT sessions at the center in combination with twice daily independent GRT sessions at home.
Sponsors
Aptium Oncology Research Network
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Able to speak and understand English * At or between the ages of 18 and 75 * Newly diagnosed with breast cancer (within 12 weeks of study entry) * Expected to receive chemotherapy and/or radiation * Willingness to complete CSES, PSS-14 and FACIT-F scales * Minimum score of 4 on the 0-10 Visual Analog Scale for stress * Willingness to participate for the 18 week duration of study and follow-up * Ability to travel to cancer center weekly specifically for on-site guided relaxation training sessions * Access to a CD player
Exclusion criteria
* Cognitive or mental status affecting ability to follow directions * Previous or current use of complementary therapies for their cancer diagnosis, except herbal supplements * Brain metastasis * Treatment for any other diagnosis of cancer within the previous 5 years * Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator might interfere with the subject's participation in the study, pose an added risk for the subject or confound the assessment of the subject
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Determining if the use of GRT during treatment in individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer increases their coping ability. | Endpoint |
| Determining if the use of GRT during treatment in individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer reduces their perceived stress. | Endpoint |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Determining the effects of GRT on vital signs and self-reported levels of fatigue. | End Point |
| Determining differences of perceived levels of stress among various racial and ethnic groups. | End Point |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed