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Massage Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Gabriel Lopez
Research Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
All gastrointestinal malignancies where the patient received oxaliplatin for cancer treatment or breast malignancies where patients have received docetaxel or paclitaxel for cancer treatment
Lower extremity neuropathy per patient report attributable to oxaliplatin, docetaxel or paclitaxel (neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agent) as determined by patient history of neurotoxic agent administration and no history of other attributable causes such as diabetic neuropathy
Must not have
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) diagnosed within 12 months of study enrollment or history or untreated lower extremity DVT, bone metastases, currently active skin infection, or lymphedema currently involving the treatment field
Women who are pregnant at time of enrollment; pregnancy will be assessed at enrollment using urine pregnancy test
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 10 weeks
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial studies whether massage therapy can help reduce symptoms of nerve problems caused by chemotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal or breast cancer.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking patients who have had gastrointestinal or breast cancer and received specific chemotherapy drugs, causing nerve problems. They must be stable on current neuropathy medications and able to visit the MD Anderson Main Campus in Texas. Pregnant women, those with low blood counts, a history of deep vein thrombosis within the last year, diabetes, or other causes of neuropathy are excluded.
What is being tested?
The study is testing if massage therapy can help reduce nerve pain and improve life quality for patients who developed peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy treatments for gastrointestinal or breast cancers. It involves regular visits to receive massages and completing questionnaires about their symptoms.
What are the potential side effects?
Massage therapy is generally safe but may include temporary discomfort at the site of massage, mild bruising, fatigue after sessions, allergic reactions to oils or lotions used (if any), and rarely aggravation of underlying conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have had oxaliplatin for gastrointestinal cancer or docetaxel/paclitaxel for breast cancer.
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I have nerve pain in my legs due to chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, docetaxel, or paclitaxel.
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I experience significant nerve pain or discomfort.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have had a blood clot in my leg, bone cancer spread, skin infection, or swelling in the treatment area recently.
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I am not pregnant, confirmed by a urine test.
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I have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~at 10 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at 10 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Completion Rates of Two Massage Treatment Protocols for Patients With Chronic, Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Secondary study objectives
Baseline treatment expectations
Function and balance
Quality and intensity of neuropathic pain
+2 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Group IV (head/neck/shoulder massage 2 x weekly for 6 weeks)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the head, neck, and shoulder twice weekly for 6 weeks.
Group II: Group III (head/neck/shoulder massage 3 x weekly for 4 weeks)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the head, neck, and shoulder thrice weekly for 4 weeks.
Group III: Group II (leg massage 2 x weekly for 6 weeks)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the affected legs at the foot and toes, ending at the knee, twice weekly for 6 weeks.
Group IV: Group I (leg massage 3 x weekly for 4 weeks)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the affected legs at the foot and toes, ending at the knee, thrice weekly for 4 weeks.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Massage Therapy
2012
Completed Phase 2
~890

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterLead Sponsor
3,066 Previous Clinical Trials
1,802,155 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,925 Previous Clinical Trials
41,017,911 Total Patients Enrolled
Gabriel LopezPrincipal InvestigatorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1 Previous Clinical Trials
35 Total Patients Enrolled
~4 spots leftby Apr 2025
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