Cancer Survivor, Chronic Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to explore the impact of a therapeutic horticulture program as an occupation-based intervention to address chronic pain symptoms for cancer survivors. The main objectives are to assess participants' perceptions of pain, physical and psychosocial wellness, stress management, and quality of life at pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up. Quantitative and qualitative data will be synthesized and analyzed to explore this phenomenon.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHorticultural activity
Therapeutic horticulture activities are plant-related activities that include but not limited to digging, watering, planting, weeding, trimming, fertilizing, mulching, harvesting, learning about organic farming, and exploring options to incorporate horticulture into daily activities
Sponsors
Loma Linda University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18 - 64 years of age * History of cancer diagnosis * Chronic pain longer than 3 months * Have interest in therapeutic horticulture and exercise * Able to participate in a moderate physical activity in sitting and/or standing for at least one hour twice a week * Able to provide own transportation to the horticulture site or the supervised exercise program * Able to comprehend, speak and write in English
Exclusion criteria
* Uncontrolled seizure disorder * Pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Salivary Cortisol Test | Change between baseline and three months | Participant stress level will be determined by salivary cortisol levels. Participant's salivary cortisol level will be measured at awakening, 30 minutes following awakening and bedtime. Typically, there is Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), which is a steep rise in cortisol output during the first 30 minutes following awakening, followed by a steady decline across the morning, afternoon, and evening hours, with the daily nadir typically occurring around midnight. Flattened diurnal cortisol slope relates to increased emotional and psychosocial stress and related to worse health outcomes. The typical Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is defined as an increase of at least 2.5 nmol/l from the cortisol level taken at awakening. Although there are no agreed norms for the absolute concentrations of free cortisol in saliva it typically ranges between 4.7-18.5 nmol/l for post-awakening, between 8.6-21.9 nmol/l for 30 minutes post-awakening, and 0.3-15.2 nmol/l for bedtime. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lower body strength | Change between baseline and three months | Chair Stand testing measures the strength of the lower body. Average scores for this testing are 15 reps for women and 16 reps for men. |
| Upper body strength | Change between baseline and three months | Arm Curl testing measures the strength of the upper body. Average scores for this testing are 16 reps for women and 19 reps for men. |
| Endurance | Change between baseline and three months | 2 Minutes Step testing measures the endurance or physical stamina. Average scores for this testing are 91 times for women and 101 times for men. |
| Lower body flexibility | Change between baseline and three months | Chair Sit and Reach testing measures lower body flexibility, specifically your hamstring flexibility. Average scores for this testing are +2 inches for women and + 0.5 inches for men. |
| Upper body flexibility | Change between baseline and three months | Back Scratch testing measures the flexibility of the upper body. Average scores for this testing are -0.5 inches for women and -3.5 inches for men. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed