Tai Chi for Cancer Survivors

Overseen By The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Non-cancer survivors, Under 21, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 8 weeks

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether practicing Tai Chi can help cancer survivors quit smoking. Tai Chi, a gentle exercise involving slow movements and deep breathing, might ease the process of quitting. Participants will either practice Tai Chi online with guidance or receive standard support resources for quitting smoking. Cancer survivors who have smoked in the last 30 days and are interested in quitting might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods for improving health and well-being.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the Tai Chi trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. Since Tai Chi is a form of exercise and does not involve medications, it's likely you can continue your current medications, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that Tai Chi is safe for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that Tai Chi is generally safe and easy for most people. Studies have found that practicing Tai Chi can improve strength, balance, and flexibility. It also aids movement and reduces pain. No serious side effects are linked to Tai Chi. For cancer patients, Tai Chi has enhanced quality of life, improved physical abilities, and reduced tiredness and sleep problems. Overall, Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that most people can do without negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Tai Chi for cancer survivors because it offers a holistic approach that differs from traditional treatments like medication and counseling. Unlike standard methods, Tai Chi combines gentle physical activity with mindfulness, which may help improve both physical and mental well-being. Additionally, this trial explores Tai Chi's potential to support smoking cessation, a unique angle that adds to its appeal. By providing an accessible, low-impact exercise, it might offer a complementary option for enhancing recovery and quality of life in cancer survivors.

What evidence suggests that Tai Chi could be an effective treatment for smoking cessation in cancer survivors?

Research shows that Tai Chi can help cancer survivors in many ways. Studies have found it may boost mood, reduce tiredness, and improve sleep. For cancer patients, Tai Chi is linked to a better overall quality of life, including physical and mental benefits. It can also help ease cancer-related pain. In this trial, participants in one arm will practice Tai Chi. While not a direct method to quit smoking, Tai Chi may support efforts to stop smoking due to its positive effects on mood and stress. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ce Shang, PhD

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult cancer survivors (21+ years old) who finished treatment at least 3 months ago and are current smokers with a moderate interest in quitting. They must be able to join Zoom calls. People not eligible include those treated for cancer within the last 3 months, under 21, unable to use Zoom, or have low interest in stopping smoking.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 21 years old or older.

Report at least moderate interest in quitting smoking (>=3 on a Likert type scale with 5 being very extremely interested)

Report smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days

Exclusion Criteria

I am a cancer patient who hasn't been treated or was last treated within 3 months.

I am younger than 21 years old.

Non-smokers in the past 30 days

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants participate in an 8-week online Tai Chi intervention, either supervised or self-administered, along with standard smoking cessation resources.

8 weeks

Online sessions, self-administered modules

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking cessation, quit attempts, and cigarette dependence through CO verification and online surveys.

6 months

Online surveys at baseline, 4 weeks, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Tai Chi

Trial Overview

The study tests an online Tai Chi program designed to help cancer survivors quit smoking. It includes slow movements, posture exercises, meditation, and controlled breathing without medications or medical procedures. Participants will also undergo carbon monoxide measurement and surveys.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (Tai Chi) Experimental Treatment 5 Interventions

Participants receive access to the online WaQi program to practice Tai Chi supervised over 60 minutes BIW and home-based over 10 minutes five days a week for 8 weeks. Participants also receive a document highlighting NCI resources for quitting smoking including NCI's tollfree Quitline number, state Quitline numbers and other resources, and undergo CO testing on study.

Group II: Arm II (Standard cessation) Active Control 5 Interventions

Participants receive a document highlighting NCI resources for quitting smoking including NCI's tollfree Quitline number, state Quitline numbers and other resources, and undergo CO testing on study. Participants also receive an 8-week online Tai Chi self-administered teaching module subscription at the end of the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

350

Recruited

295,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

There are currently over 13.7 million cancer survivors in the U.S., a number expected to rise by 31% in the next decade, highlighting the need for effective health strategies for this aging population.

Tai Ji Quan is suggested as a beneficial exercise for older cancer survivors to help reduce risks of disability, falls, and cardiovascular disease, but more controlled trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in this specific group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai Ji Quan for the aging cancer survivor: Mitigating the accelerated development of disability, falls, and cardiovascular disease from cancer treatment. Winters-Stone, K.[2021]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8559497/

Tai Chi for cancer survivors: A systematic review toward ...

Tai Chi training may improve fatigue and sleep quality in cancer survivors. Future research should examine a broader range of outcomes, ...

2.

ascopubs.org

ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO-24-02540

Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Cancer Health (MATCH) Study

This large, pragmatic trial demonstrated both mindfulness and TCQ interventions improved mood in distressed cancer survivors.

3.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12004731/

Effectiveness of qigong and Tai Chi for quality of life in ...

Results showed that QTC may improve cancer patients' overall QoL, physiological scores (physical functioning, fatigue, and sleep quality), psychological scores.

4.

jamanetwork.com

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2812767

Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise and Tai Chi Interventions ...

The median survival time of the AE group was 47.76 weeks (95% CI, 45.24-50.28 weeks), TC group was 49.18 weeks (95% CI, 47.32-51.05 weeks), and ...

5.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000391

Comparing the effects of different non-pharmacological ...

Acupressure and Tai Chi/Qi Gong have significant efficacy in relieving cancer-related pain and improving quality of life. •. Acupressure is most effective ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10183581/

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on the QoL and ...

The primary outcomes were QoL, anxiety, and depression in patients with breast cancer. Fatigue, sleep quality, cognitive function, and ...

7.

ons.org

ons.org/publications-research/voice/news-views/03-2023/what-evidence-says-about-tai-chi-cancer-care

What the Evidence Says About Tai Chi in Cancer Care

Results from clinical trials in non-cancer populations suggest that tai chi practice improves strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility; decreases pain; and ...

8.

bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com

bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-025-04875-1

Effectiveness of qigong and Tai Chi for quality of life in ...

QTC may have positive effects on improving cancer patients' overall QoL, physical functioning, fatigue, sleep quality, and psychological symptoms.