Chiropractic Care for Cancer

(CAN Trial)

Overseen By Tyson Principal Investigator, Phd

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Life University

Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, GLP-1

Disqualifiers: Heart conditions, Rheumatoid arthritis, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how chiropractic care can alleviate chronic cancer-related fatigue and other health issues affecting cancer survivors. Participants divide into two groups: one begins chiropractic care immediately, while the other starts after six weeks. The trial suits individuals who are cancer-free, completed their main cancer treatments at least three months ago, and experience moderate to severe fatigue impacting daily life. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity for participants to explore alternative treatments that may enhance their quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You may need to stop taking certain medications to join the trial. If you're on short-acting benzodiazepines or GLP-1 medications, you cannot participate. Also, if you're on other prescription medications, you must have been on a stable dose for at least 6 weeks and not plan to change them during the study.

What prior data suggests that chiropractic care is safe for cancer survivors?

Research shows that the safety of chiropractic care for cancer patients is not fully understood. Some studies suggest it can help reduce pain and discomfort, but more research is needed to clarify the safety and risks.

A recent study examined the frequency of serious side effects in people receiving chiropractic spinal therapy. It found that serious side effects were rare, suggesting that most people tolerate chiropractic care well.

Overall, while some positive evidence exists, research on chiropractic care for cancer patients is still ongoing. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, which directly target cancer cells, chiropractic care for cancer focuses on enhancing overall well-being and quality of life. Researchers are excited about this approach because it may help alleviate pain and improve mobility without the side effects typically associated with conventional cancer therapies. Chiropractic care offers a holistic way to potentially support cancer patients by positively impacting their nervous system and potentially improving their body's natural healing processes.

What evidence suggests that chiropractic care might be an effective treatment for chronic cancer-related fatigue?

Studies have shown that chiropractic care can improve the quality of life for cancer patients by relieving pain and enhancing movement. Research indicates that it offers effective and affordable methods to reduce pain and discomfort. Although not a direct treatment for cancer, chiropractic care complements other treatments by helping manage symptoms like ongoing fatigue related to cancer. In this trial, participants in the immediate group will receive 12 weeks of chiropractic care, while those in the delayed group will be offered 6 weeks of care after initial assessments. Many choose chiropractic care to enhance overall well-being during recovery. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tyson Tyson, Phd

Principal Investigator

Life University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer survivors who are experiencing chronic fatigue related to their cancer. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided, so it's best to contact the study organizers for detailed information on who can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Scores in the moderate-to-severe range on the FACIT-Fatigue scale

It's been over 3 months since I finished my main cancer treatment.

I am between 18 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not seen a chiropractor in the last 2 weeks.

I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, or cervical spine instability.

Current litigation related to a physical, health-related injury

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments to evaluate initial health status and eligibility

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment (Immediate Group)

Participants in the immediate group receive 12 weeks of chiropractic care

12 weeks

Treatment (Delayed Group)

Participants in the delayed group receive 6 weeks of chiropractic care after initial assessments

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Chiropractic Care

Trial Overview

The study is testing the effects of chiropractic care on Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue (CCRF) and other health issues faced by cancer survivors. It's a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants will be randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic care or no intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Immediate Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

After the baseline assessment, the participants in the intervention group will receive 12 weeks of chiropractic care.

Group II: Delayed Group Active Control 1 Intervention

After the 6-week lab assessments, the participants in the delayed group will be offered 6 weeks of chiropractic care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Life University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

21

Recruited

450+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7250516/

Patients with cancer. Is there a role for chiropractic? - PMC

A better quality of life, pain relief and improved function were reported to be the most common perceived benefits of chiropractic in relation to the panels' ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06235671

Effects of Chiropractic on Chronic Cancer-related Fatigue

This includes evaluating various implementation outcomes including recruitment, adherence, tolerability, retention, acceptability, and data fidelity. The ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749208105000380

Alternatives in Cancer Pain Treatment: The Application of ...

The judicial use of chiropractic services in cancer patients appears to offer many economical and effective strategies for reducing the pain and suffering ...

4.

tuckclinic.com

tuckclinic.com/blog/2017/03/30/cancer-and-chiropractic/

Chiropractic and Cancer

Learn why chiropractic is a leading alternative to standard pain management treatment, improving life for cancer patients.

5.

journals.sagepub.com

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1534735411403309

The Chiropractic Care of Patients With Cancer

By 2030, deaths from cancer have been estimated at 12 million with 30% being preventable. Complementary and alternative medicine remains popular ...

6.

chiro.org

chiro.org/Conditions/Cancer.shtml

CANCER AND CHIROPRACTIC

Further research is necessary regarding initially how chiropractic could gather data about the relative safety and risks of chiropractic care in such patients.

7.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-023-28520-4

A retrospective analysis of the incidence of severe adverse ...

This study examined the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) of patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT).