Dance Therapy for Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Lise C Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD, MFA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Must not be taking: Cytotoxic, Immunotherapy

Disqualifiers: Vestibular deficit, Diabetes, Non-ambulatory, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

Duration: 8 weeks

52 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Group dance classes have been found to improve markers of quality of life and physical health (i.e., balance) among some populations engaged in rehabilitation, such as the elderly and individuals with Parkinson Disease. However, such interventions have yet to be studied among cancer survivors despite the relevance of quality of life and physical health within cancer survivorship. Group dance classes are a promising avenue in that they deliver activity-based medicine in a social context, thus potentially improving physical as well as psychosocial aspects of health. To further this avenue of inquiry, we propose to study the effect of dance-based interventions for cancer survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use cytotoxic or immunotherapy during the study. Endocrine therapy is allowed.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dance Therapy for Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Survivors?

Research suggests that combining physical activity with music-based medicine, like in Neurologic Dance Training (NDT) through Adapted Tango, may improve posture and walking in breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Additionally, exercise-based sensorimotor training, such as adapted Argentine tango, shows promise in addressing balance deficits in cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is dance therapy safe for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy?

Research suggests that dance therapy, like Adapted Argentine Tango, is a promising and safe non-drug option for improving balance and movement in cancer survivors, with no major safety concerns reported. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is dance therapy different from other treatments for neuropathy in breast cancer survivors?

Dance therapy, specifically Adapted Argentine Tango, is unique because it combines physical activity with music-based medicine and social engagement, which may improve posture and gait more effectively than traditional home exercises. This approach is non-pharmacologic and aims to enhance motor control and sensory function in a more engaging and enjoyable way. ^{1 2 3 7 8}

Research Team

Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD, MFA

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for breast cancer survivors who have finished taxane-based chemotherapy at least 3 months ago, are experiencing neuropathy symptoms, and have balance issues. They must be able to follow study instructions. It's not for those with severe diabetes, vestibular deficits, lower limb amputations, or those in physical therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a breast cancer survivor of stage I, II, or III.

I finished my taxane-based chemotherapy over 3 months ago.

I experience symptoms of nerve damage.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not using any cancer-killing drugs or immunotherapy during the study, but hormone therapy is okay.

Contraindication to participate in Tango due to orthopedic issue (e.g., herniated vertebral disc)

I use assistive devices due to not being able to walk or having a leg amputation.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to either 16 sessions of Argentine Tango or a home exercise program over 8 weeks

8 weeks

16 sessions (in-person or at home)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of balance, neuropathy symptoms, and falls incidence

6 months

Monthly assessments, weekly falls monitoring

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Evidence-Based Exercise
• Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation

Trial Overview The study tests the effects of group dance classes using Tango and rhythmic auditory stimulation on quality of life and physical health among breast cancer survivors suffering from neuropathy.

Participant Groups

Group I: Tango Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention will consist of 16 Argentine Tango (Tango) sessions, adapted for neurorehabilitation per Hackney and Earhart (2010). Delivered over 8 weeks at a frequency of 2x per week and duration of 1 hour per session, this program teaches the basics steps of partnered Tango dance.

Group II: Home Exercise (HEX) Active Control 1 Intervention

The control group will consist of an evidence-based, structured home exercise program (HEX) based on the 8 week intervention described by Zimmer et al (2018) and recommended by physical therapists specializing in BC within our organization. This program consists of information on neuropathy and fall prevention combined with a schedule of 1 hr training (i.e., endurance, resistance, and sensorimotor) performed 2x per week

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

350

Recruited

295,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Findings from Research

The study proposes that 8 weeks of neurologic dance training using Adapted Tango (NDT-Tango) will improve posture and gait in breast cancer survivors experiencing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) more effectively than a home exercise program, based on a randomized controlled trial design.

This research aims to provide a safe, non-pharmacologic intervention that combines physical activity and music-based medicine, potentially enhancing quality of life and reducing CIN-related deficits in motor control and sensory function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomechanical effect of neurologic dance training (NDT) for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and preliminary baseline data. Lantis, K., Schnell, P., Bland, CR., et al.[2023]

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Neurologic Dance Training (NDT-Tango) compared to home exercise in improving posture and gait in breast cancer survivors experiencing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, with an 8-week intervention period.

By combining physical activity with music-based medicine, the researchers hypothesize that NDT-Tango will provide greater improvements in sensorimotor function than traditional exercise, potentially offering a safe, non-drug treatment option for managing neuropathy symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomechanical effect of neurologic dance training (NDT) for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trail and preliminary baseline data. Lantis, KD., Schne, P., Bland, CR., et al.[2023]

A novel balance training program using partnered Adapted Argentine Tango was found to be feasible for cancer survivors, with over half of the participants attending more than half of the classes and a high satisfaction rate of 1.2 on a 7-point scale.

Participants with initial postural control deficits showed significant improvements in balance measures after the training, indicating that this exercise-based approach may effectively enhance postural control in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Partnered, adapted argentine tango dance for cancer survivors: A feasibility study and pilot study of efficacy. Worthen-Chaudhari, L., Lamantia, MT., Monfort, SM., et al.[2020]

Exercise interventions significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms in women with breast cancer undergoing taxane-containing chemotherapy, with moderate-quality evidence from 171 participants across four trials.

Additionally, exercise improved health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) for these patients, as shown by pooled results from six trials involving 609 participants, indicating that exercise can be a beneficial adjunctive treatment during chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of exercise before and/or during taxane-containing chemotherapy treatment on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in women with breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Brownson-Smith, R., Orange, ST., Cresti, N., et al.[2023]

An 8-week somatic yoga and meditation program for 8 individuals with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) showed significant improvement in CIPN symptoms, as measured by the FACT-GOG-Ntx scale, indicating potential efficacy of this intervention.

Participants reported improved self-confidence and balance, with no adverse events, suggesting that somatic yoga and meditation may be a safe and beneficial complementary therapy for managing CIPN in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Somatic Yoga and Meditation: A Pilot Study in a Multicultural Cancer Survivor Population with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. Galantino, ML., Brooks, J., Tiger, R., et al.[2020]

A four-week home-based extremity exercise program for 13 breast cancer survivors showed significant improvements in self-reported symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) without any adverse events reported.

While the program was feasible and well-received by participants, it did not show significant changes in clinician-assessed CIPN, suggesting the need for larger studies and longer intervention periods to confirm its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extremity Exercise Program in Breast Cancer Survivors Suffering from Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Feasibility Pilot Study. Wu, CJ., Chan, YN., Yen, LY., et al.[2022]

Exercise therapy may provide short-term benefits in reducing neuropathic symptoms and improving physical function in people with diabetic neuropathy, based on a review of 11 randomized clinical trials involving 517 participants.

However, the overall quality of evidence supporting these benefits is very low, and no significant effects were observed on psychosocial aspects of health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise therapy on diabetic neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hernando-Garijo, I., Medrano-de-la-Fuente, R., Mingo-Gómez, MT., et al.[2023]

A pilot study involving 54 women recovering from breast cancer showed that a 32-hour dance program significantly improved various health measures, including weight, fitness levels, and quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from intermediate to large.

The positive changes in physical and emotional well-being suggest that dance can be a valuable rehabilitation option for women post-breast cancer treatment, highlighting the need for further collaborative research across countries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dancing With Health: Quality of Life and Physical Improvements From an EU Collaborative Dance Programme With Women Following Breast Cancer Treatment. Karkou, V., Dudley-Swarbrick, I., Starkey, J., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomechanical effect of neurologic dance training (NDT) for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and preliminary baseline data. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomechanical effect of neurologic dance training (NDT) for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trail and preliminary baseline data. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Partnered, adapted argentine tango dance for cancer survivors: A feasibility study and pilot study of efficacy. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of exercise before and/or during taxane-containing chemotherapy treatment on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in women with breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Somatic Yoga and Meditation: A Pilot Study in a Multicultural Cancer Survivor Population with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extremity Exercise Program in Breast Cancer Survivors Suffering from Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Feasibility Pilot Study. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise therapy on diabetic neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dancing With Health: Quality of Life and Physical Improvements From an EU Collaborative Dance Programme With Women Following Breast Cancer Treatment. [2021]