Study to Assess Complementary Treatment for Reducing Fatigue in People with Breast Cancer

By Anna Shaffer, LBBC Staff

This study in the San Diego, California, area explores whether hands-on healing can reduce fatigue and improve immune system functioning in women who have had breast cancer

Sponsored By: University of California San Diego and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Read more about the hands-on healing study.

If you have completed treatment for breast cancer, are still experiencing excessive fatigue and live in the San Diego area, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to determine whether a complementary treatment called hands-on healing can reduce treatment-related fatigue.

The study, led by Shamini Jain, MA, MS, and Paul Mills, PhD, of the University of California San Diego, will explore the short-term impact of hands-on healing compared to touch alone for treating fatigue.

Background of the Study

Fatigue is a common side effect among women during and after treatment for breast cancer. This is often not an ordinary fatigue but a "bone-weary" exhaustion that doesn’t get better with rest.

For some, this fatigue lasts a long time after treatment. According to results of a study published in the February 15, 2006, issue of the journal Cancer, up to one-third of women treated for breast cancer report fatigue symptoms up to ten years after diagnosis.

Although a few studies suggest that hands-on healing may reduce cancer-related fatigue, no studies have examined whether this technique may help immune system functioning for women affected by breast cancer compared to touch alone.

Study Objectives

This study, funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), examines the effect of hands-on healing on the physical and psychological well-being of fatigued women affected by breast cancer compared to placebo—in this case, "mock healing" (touch by a non-energy healer without healing intention). Specifically, it examines whether one month of hands-on healing effectively reduces fatigue and inflammation and improves psychological functioning for women who have had breast cancer.

What is the Structure of the Study?

Researchers are seeking 65 female participants who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. All women enrolled in this study will be randomized to one of three treatment groups:

Group 1 participants will receive eight sessions of hands-on healing for four to six weeks.

Group 2 participants will receive eight sessions of touch alone for four to six weeks.

Group 3 participants will be in a wait-list control group for four to six weeks.

Researchers will analyze participant reports that measure their levels of fatigue, depression and quality of life throughout the duration of the study. They will also analyze inflammatory immune and hormonal markers associated with these psychological factors.

All qualified participants will receive hands-on healing at no cost. If you are randomized to the touch alone (Group 2) or control group (Group 3), you may choose to receive four free hands-on healing sessions after you complete the study.

Who May Participate?

You may be eligible to take part in this study if you:

• Are a woman who was diagnosed with Stage I, II or III breast cancer
• Have completed surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy at least one month ago
• Are still feeling fatigued

The study may take place at either the UCSD General Clinical Research Center in Hillcrest, San Diego, or the UCSD Clinical Research Center in La Jolla. If you have finished treatment or anticipate finishing treatment within the next year and are interested in participating in this study, please contact Shamini Jain at 619.543.7913 or for more information or to volunteer.

For more information, contact: 619.543.7913

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