Massage Therapy for Prostate Cancer-Related Fatigue
(mPROSTATE Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
This phase II trial investigates the effect of massage in decreasing prostate cancer-related fatigue. Massage therapy has well known health benefits. This trial aims to find out if massage and touch therapies reduce fatigue due to cancer, and to learn if these therapies are better than traditional medicine or psychology for cancer related fatigue.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, certain medications like corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and those for anxiety or depression may need to be stable or necessary for your wellbeing, as judged by the investigator.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Massage Therapy for Prostate Cancer-Related Fatigue?
Research shows that massage therapy can significantly reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve symptoms like pain, anxiety, and stress in cancer patients. Studies have found that massage therapy leads to a substantial improvement in symptom scores, with benefits lasting up to 48 hours after treatment.12345
Is massage therapy safe for people with cancer-related fatigue?
How is massage therapy different from other treatments for prostate cancer-related fatigue?
Massage therapy is unique because it is a non-drug approach that uses physical touch to help relieve fatigue, unlike other treatments that may involve medication. It focuses on relaxation and improving overall well-being, which can be particularly beneficial for managing fatigue in prostate cancer patients.89101112
Research Team
Mark H Rapaport
Principal Investigator
Huntsman Cancer Institute/ University of Utah
Eligibility Criteria
Men over 45 with prostate cancer who've finished radiation therapy at least 2 months ago but no more than 6 years, currently on androgen deprivation therapy, experiencing significant fatigue not caused by other conditions like anemia or hypothyroidism. They must be able to lay down for an hour and not have used massage for fatigue before.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either Swedish Massage Therapy (SMT), Light Touch (LT), or no intervention for 6 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for sustained effects of the intervention on cancer-related fatigue
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Massage Therapy
- Sham Intervention
Massage Therapy is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Pain management
- Anxiety relief
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Symptom management in oncology
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Palliative care
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Utah
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator