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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore whether group dance classes, specifically Argentine Tango, can improve the quality of life and physical health for breast cancer survivors experiencing neuropathy (nerve pain or numbness). Participants will either join Tango dance sessions, known as Evidence-Based Exercise, or follow a home exercise program designed for balance and strength. The trial seeks to determine if dance can enhance not only physical abilities but also social well-being. It suits those who have completed chemotherapy, experience nerve-related symptoms, and struggle with balance but can still walk. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance their well-being through dance.

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 prior data suggests that dance therapy is safe for breast cancer survivors?

A previous study found adapted Argentine tango dance therapy to be promising and safe for cancer survivors. This therapy aims to improve balance and movement without medication. Another study showed that it helps breast cancer survivors regain balance and sensation after nerve damage.

The Tango approach includes social interaction, enhancing the benefits of physical activity. Research suggests it is not only feasible but also may improve balance and stability.

Overall, adapted Argentine tango dance therapy is well-tolerated, with no major side effects reported. It offers a fun and interactive way to potentially boost both physical and social health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about dance therapy, specifically the Tango treatment, for managing neuropathy in breast cancer survivors because it blends physical activity with a social and engaging experience. Unlike typical neuropathy treatments that often involve medication or solitary exercises, Tango provides a unique combination of balance, coordination, and rhythm that can enhance neurorehabilitation. Additionally, the structured nature of Tango sessions offers consistency and motivation, potentially improving adherence and outcomes compared to conventional exercise routines.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for neuropathy in breast cancer survivors?

Research has shown that adapted Argentine tango dance therapy, one of the treatments studied in this trial, can help breast cancer survivors with nerve damage regain balance and sensation. This type of dance improves posture control, which is crucial for those experiencing balance issues. Dance therapy not only aids physical health but also enhances quality of life by fostering connections with others, boosting overall well-being. Early findings suggest that tango might be a promising method for helping cancer survivors manage nerve damage effects. Meanwhile, the trial includes a control group participating in a structured home exercise program focused on neuropathy and fall prevention. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD, MFA

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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 hour 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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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Dance Therapy for Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Survivors

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