Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer and Fallopian Tube Cancer Patients Using Complementary Alternative Medicine

RATIONALE: Chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Hypnosis, massage therapy, and healing touch may improve the quality of life of patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well giving hypnosis, massage therapy and healing touch changes outcomes in women receiving chemotherapy for newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cavity cancer.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Fallopian Tube Cancer; Peritoneal Primary Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Standard chemotherapy; Other: healing touch; Other: massage therapy; Other: hypnosis

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Determine whether quality of life is improved in patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cavity cancer receiving hypnosis, massage therapy, and healing touch and standard chemotherapy as compared to patients receiving standard chemotherapy alone.

Secondary

• Determine changes in immunologic response markers, chemotherapy side effects, and complication rates in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

• Arm I (standard therapy): Patients undergo standard chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.
• Arm II (standard therapy with complementary alternative medicine): Patients undergo chemotherapy as in arm I. Patients also undergo massage over approximately 30 minutes and healing touch therapy over approximately 30 minutes with each course of chemotherapy 1-6 and hypnosis over 30-60 minutes during courses 1, 2, and 4.

Quality of life is assessed at baseline, during courses 3 and 6 of chemotherapy, and then 6 months after completion of study treatment.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 6 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 43
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Minnesota
    • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455
      • Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer, any pathologic type or stage, who will receive 6 cycles of chemotherapy.
• Patients must have signed an informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous cancer other than skin cancer
• Previous chemotherapy experience
• Active substance abuse
• Schizophrenia
• Pregnant or lactating

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Chemotherapy Alone; Patients receiving 6 cycles of taxane and platinum therapy for ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer by their treating physician. Chemotherapy administration is not administered as part of this protocol.	Drug: Standard chemotherapy; Patients will receive 6 cycles of taxane and platinum therapy as prescribed by their treating physician. Chemotherapy treatment is not part of this study.; Other Names: Platinum; Taxane
Experimental: Standard Chemotherapy + CAM; Patients receiving 6 cycles of taxane and platinum therapy for ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer with additional complementary alternative medicine - CAM (healing touch, hypnosis and massage therapy). Chemotherapy administration is not administered as part of this protocol.	Other: healing touch; The practitioner performed a structured interview with the patient both a verbal assessment and an energy/physical assessment using pendulum and hand scan techniques. The practitioner will then provide the intervention which will consist of: chakra connection, magnetic passes (hands still and in motion), magnetic clearing.; Other Names: energy-based therapy; Other: massage therapy; Standard massage techniques will be employed over the head, neck, shoulders, back, hands, and/or feet areas. The intensity and rapidity of massage movements will be individualized to the patient's comfort level.; Other Names: massage; Other: hypnosis; Steps: 1) begins with a progressive relaxation induction; 2) suggestions for deepening are then provided; 3) offered suggestions to increase comfort with medical procedures; 4) suggestion for enhanced capacity for coping will be given as an ego strengthening suggestion, with a post-hypnotic suggestion for increasing comfort/success in coping each time.; Other Names: mind-body intervention procedure

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quality of Life Comparison - Average FACT-O Scoring in Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)	Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian (FACT-O) questionnaire was used to assess patients' quality of life before each chemotherapy cycle. It is a standardized self-administered questionnaire measuring many aspects of quality of life (0 to 4; Not at all, A little bit, Some-what, Quite a bit, Very much) as related to patients with ovarian cancers. The quality of life measures include the total FACT-O score (minimum value 0, maximum value 200). Questionnaires are recoded in the final analysis phase so that a higher score reflected more adverse effects on quality of life.	Prior to Cycle 1 (Day -2 to +1), Every 3rd cycle (1 cycle = approx 21 days) and 6 Months Post Chemotherapy
Comparison of Mental Health Inventory (MHI) Questionnaire Results - Average for Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	The MHI asks questions about how the consumer is feeling and coping with usual life activities. It provides measurable information about the consumer's wellbeing (anxiety, depression, loss of emotional control, general positive affect and emotional ties). A single score based on all items designed as high level summary index of the person's mental health status. High scores on the Mental Health Index indicate greater psychological well being and relatively less psychological distress (range is 38-240).	Prior to Cycle 1 (Day -2 to +1), Every 3rd cycle (1 cycle = approx 21 days) and 6 Months Post Chemotherapy

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Patients With Delays In Receiving Chemotherapy Alone	Number of patients who had to delay their chemotherapy treatments due to side effects.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Number of Patients With Delays In Receiving Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Number of patients who had to delay their chemotherapy treatments and or complementary alternative medicine due to side effects.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Number of Anti-Emetic Prescriptions Used After Chemotherapy Alone	Determined by averaging the total number of anti-emetic prescriptions given per patient after receiving chemotherapy.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Number of Anti-Emetic Prescriptions Used After Chemotherapy + CAM	Determined by averaging the total number of anti-emetic prescriptions given per patient after chemotherapy and complementary alternative medicine.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Anti-Emetic Dose Use After Chemotherapy Alone	Determined by averaging the total dose of anti-emetic medications given (in milligrams) per patient.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Anti-Emetic Dose Use After Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Determined by averaging the total dose of anti-emetic medications given (in milligrams) per patient after receiving chemotherapy and complementary alternative medicine.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Natural Killer Cell Count Levels Before Chemotherapy Alone	Natural killer cells are identified as CD3 (-), CD56(+) and CD16 (+). Phenotypic analysis and measurement of NK cells (NK cell count in mm^3 drawn before chemotherapy) using flow cytometry and specific mAb.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Average Natural Killer Cell Count Levels Before Chemotherapy and CAM	Natural killer cells are identified as CD3 (-), CD56(+) and CD16 (+). Phenotypic analysis and measurement of NK cells (NK cell count in mm^3 drawn before chemotherapy) using flow cytometry and specific mAb.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Comparison of Number of Patients Having Infection After Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Number of patients that had infections requiring antibiotic therapy or admission to the hospital that received either chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus complementary alternative medicine.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Comparison of Number of Patients Who Were Hospitalized After Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Count of patients who were admitted to the hospital after receiving chemotherapy treatment or chemotherapy plus complementary alternative medicine.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Comparison of Average White Blood Cell Count in Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Determined from white blood cell counts collected during treatment phase of study; average applied.	Prior to Chemotherapy through 6th Treatment with Chemotherapy (average 6 months)
Comparison of Average T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes for Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Average count determined - collected during treatment phase of study - Includes T-helper/inducer, CD4 and CD8 cells; number of CD4 and CD8 cells (in mm^3).	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)
Comparison of Average Salivary IgA Level in Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Plus CAM	Determined from collection of saliva during treatment phase of study and recorded in mg/dL units.	Prior to Chemotherapy (Day -2 to +1) through Cycle 6 Chemotherapy (Approx. 168-180 Days)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
• Collaborators: Randy Shaver Cancer Research Fund
• Investigators: Study Chair: Patricia L. Judson, MD, Moffitt

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2005
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 16, 2006
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2006
• First Posted (Estimate): February 17, 2006

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 28, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 3, 2017
• Last Verified: December 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: stage III ovarian epithelial cancer; stage IV ovarian epithelial cancer; stage I ovarian epithelial cancer; stage II ovarian epithelial cancer; peritoneal cavity cancer
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Endocrine System Diseases; Ovarian Diseases; Adnexal Diseases; Gonadal Disorders; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Fallopian Tube Diseases; Ovarian Neoplasms; Fallopian Tube Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Antineoplastic Agents; Taxane
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2000NT790; UMN-WCC-30 (Other Identifier: Women's Cancer Center, University of Minnesota); 0012M77821 (Other Identifier: IRB, University of Minnesota)