Test di fattibilità di un programma TAI Chi per il trattamento della neuropatia periferica indotta dalla chemioterapia (TCT)

14 randomized participants will complete:

• 1 baseline visit session.
• Virtual Tai Chi session 2x weekly (60 minutes per session).
• Independent Tai Chi sessions 3 days a week (60 minutes per session).
• 12 week follow up visit.

12-week virtual Tai Chi program with experienced Tai Chi instructor. Sessions will be conducted via the HIPPA-compliant teleconference platform, Zoom.

7 randomized participants will complete:

• 1 baseline visit session
• Standard CIPN care prescribed by primary care physician/oncologist.
• 12 week follow up visit
• Participants will be offered 24 complimentary, virtual, Tai Chi training sessions over 12 weeks after completion of the 12-week follow-up visit.

The intervention is considered feasible if 21 participants are enrolled within the first 6 months of the study period.

The intervention is considered feasible if 75% of all evaluable participants, 16 out of 21, complete the biobehavioral assessments during the intervention period.

The intervention is considered feasible if 62% of participants in the intervention arm, 9 out of 14, attend at least 80% or 20 of the 24 online sessions.

Assessed by the Acceptability of the Intervention Measure (AIM), a 4-item measure rated on a 5-point Likert scale with answers ranging from "Completely disagree" to "Completely agree." A total scores range is 4 to 20 with a higher score indicating greater acceptability.

Defined as the proportion of participants enrolled out of those eligible for study entry.

Defined as the proportion of participants enrolled out of those eligible for study entry.

Assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the incidence of falls, fall-related injuries, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to measure dynamic balance and muscle flexibility (lower scores indicating higher fall risk), the Single Leg Stance Test (SLS) to evaluate static balance with eyes open and closed (abnormal values indicating balance impairment), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 30-second Chair Stand (30CS) test to assess motor performance (with lower TUG scores and higher 30CS scores reflecting better functional balance, strength, and endurance), and gait speed measurement across an 8-meter hallway under three conditions (quiet walking, fast speed, and cognitive dual task) at baseline and after 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.

Assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the incidence of falls, fall-related injuries, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to measure dynamic balance and muscle flexibility (lower scores indicating higher fall risk), the Single Leg Stance Test (SLS) to evaluate static balance with eyes open and closed (abnormal values indicating balance impairment), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 30-second Chair Stand (30CS) test to assess motor performance (with lower TUG scores and higher 30CS scores reflecting better functional balance, strength, and endurance), and gait speed measurement across an 8-meter hallway under three conditions (quiet walking, fast speed, and cognitive dual task) at baseline and after 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.

Assessed by the BBS, a 14-item tool to measure participant balance ability. Each task is scored on a scale from 0 to 4 with a total scores range of 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance.

Assessed by the BBS, a 14-item tool to measure participant balance ability. Each task is scored on a scale from 0 to 4 with a total scores range of 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance.

Defined as the number of falls which occur during the intervention period. A fall is an unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) definition. Falls included are 1) those occurring on a surface where caregivers and clinicians do not expect to find a participant, and 2) falls unassisted or assisted, and 3) falls from rolling off a low bed.

Defined as the number of falls which occurred during the intervention period. A fall is an unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) definition. Falls included are 1) those occurring on a surface where caregivers and clinicians do not expect to find a participant, and 2) falls unassisted or assisted, and 3) falls from rolling off a low bed.

As defined by the NDNQI definitions for fall-related injuries. Injuries will be recorded by the participant in the supplied home diary and will be summarized descriptively.

As defined by the NDNQI definitions for fall-related injuries. Injuries will be recorded by the participant in the supplied home diary and will be summarized descriptively.

Assessed by the TUG Test. Participants are instructed to stand up from a chair, walk three meters as quickly and safely as possible, turn around, walk back, and sit down. The test is timed in seconds, with a longer time indicating worse performance. Nine seconds is the cutoff for high risk of falls.

Assessed by the TUG Test. Participants are instructed to stand up from a chair, walk three meters as quickly and safely as possible, turn around, walk back, and sit down. The test is timed in seconds, with a longer time indicating worse performance. Nine seconds is the cutoff for high risk of falls.

Assessed by the BPI-SF, 9-item measure of the severity of pain and pain interference in the 24 hours prior to questionnaire administrations. A simple numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 is used for item rating, and a total score is the mean of the item ratings. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and greater interference with function.

Assessed by the BPI-SF, 9-item measure of the severity of pain and pain interference in the 24 hours prior to questionnaire administrations. A simple numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 is used for item rating, and a total score is the mean of the item ratings. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and greater interference with function.

Assessed by the Ntx Subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG) questionnaire. The Ntx Subscale is an 11-item measure of symptoms in the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Answers are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much" with a total scores range of 0 to 44. Higher scores represent higher functioning and fewer or less severe CIPN symptoms.

Assessed by the Ntx Subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG) questionnaire. The Ntx Subscale is an 11-item measure of symptoms in the 7 days prior to questionnaire administration. Answers are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 "Not at all" to 4 "Very much" with a total scores range of 0 to 44. Higher scores represent higher functioning and fewer or less severe CIPN symptoms.

This will be measured using a set of 20 Von Frey monofilaments. With participant's eyes closed, and starting at the smallest size filament, the clinical research coordinator (CRC) will touch the testing site at a 90-degree angle to the site surface until the filament bends for a one second duration. The CRC will continue this with ascending filament size in order until the participant reports feeling a touch sensation at the testing location. The force at which touch is perceived will be recorded as the tactile threshold. Tactile threshold will be assessed at the dorsum of the interphalangeal joint of the right and left big toes. Value will be recorded as the average of three readings.

This will be measured using a set of 20 Von Frey monofilaments. With participant's eyes closed, and starting at the smallest size filament, the clinical research coordinator (CRC) will touch the testing site at a 90-degree angle to the site surface until the filament bends for a one second duration. The CRC will continue this with ascending filament size in order until the participant reports feeling a touch sensation at the testing location. The force at which touch is perceived will be recorded as the tactile threshold. Tactile threshold will be assessed at the dorsum of the interphalangeal joint of the right and left big toes. Value will be recorded as the average of three readings.

This will be assessed using a handheld biothesiometer and the amplitude of vibration will be gradually increased (1 volt/second) until the sensation of vibration is first perceived by the participant. The average of three perception thresholds at the dorsal interphalangeal joint of the dominant big toe will be recorded as the vibration threshold.

This will be assessed using a handheld biothesiometer and the amplitude of vibration will be gradually increased (1 volt/second) until the sensation of vibration is first perceived by the participant. The average of three perception thresholds at the dorsal interphalangeal joint of the dominant big toe will be recorded as the vibration threshold.

Assessed by the Short FES-I, a 7-item measure of concerns about falls during daily activities. Answers are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "Not at all concerned" to 4 "Very concerned" with a total scores range of 7 to 28. A higher score represents greater participant concern.

Assessed by the Short FES-I, a 7-item measure of concerns about falls during daily activities. Answers are rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "Not at all concerned" to 4 "Very concerned" with a total scores range of 7 to 28. A higher score represents greater participant concern.

The FRT test is used to quantify balance ability. A participant is instructed to flex the test arm forward to 90 degrees and to reach forward as far as possible before taking a step. The reach is determined by the total excursion of the third metacarpal from the starting point (with the handheld in a fist) to the point just before balance is lost. The final score is the average of three measurements.

The FRT test is used to quantify balance ability. A participant is instructed to flex the test arm forward to 90 degrees and to reach forward as far as possible before taking a step. The reach is determined by the total excursion of the third metacarpal from the starting point (with the handheld in a fist) to the point just before balance is lost. The final score is the average of three measurements.