Effects of Reiki, Yoga, Meditation, on the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether people with symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) receive physical or psychological benefits from participating in a six-week Reiki, Yoga, Meditation, or Educational experience.

Conditions

• Peripheral Neuropathy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Yoga Intervention

The yoga intervention will take place for one hour per week for six weeks. All sessions will be guided by a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) who is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Each yoga session will follow a similar protocol. The introductory period (10 minutes) will focus participants on increasing interoceptive and proprioceptive capacity. The main segment is comprised of a series of yoga postures that progress from lying or seated postures that provide gentle muscle stretching to standing stretches that increase balance and flexibility. The postures will be introduced, practiced, and combined with breathing exercises for forty minutes. The conclusion of the session will be comprised of 10 minutes of relaxation.

BEHAVIORAL

Meditation Intervention

The meditation intervention will be conducted weekly for weeks. Each class will follow a similar protocol: During the one-hour meeting, participants will focus on developing attention to the breath. In a supine or seated position and with eyes closed, participants will be guided to attend solely to their breathing. As physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions begin to arise, participants will be taught to recognize, acknowledge, and accept the presence of the sensations or emotions and then to step back, release the thought or sensation, and refocus attention toward the breath At the conclusion of each meeting, the meditation instructor will encourage participants to voluntarily engage in daily meditation practices.

BEHAVIORAL

Reiki

The Reiki intervention will be conducted for one hour per week for 6 weeks. Protocol for each session: Briefly meet with the Reiki practitioner to review experiences with symptoms of CIPN. Then, the participant will be directed to lie supine and fully clothed on a massage table. Beginning at the top of the head, the practitioner will move inferiorly and pause while holding their hands above, but facing the participant at each energy point until reaching the feet. Upon reaching the participant's feet, the participant will roll from the supine position to a prone position and the process repeated. After being guided to a seated position on the massage table, the practitioner will spend a few moments in conversation with the participation before ending the session.

OTHER

Holistic Education

The psychoeducational intervention will be presented in a traditional classroom format with weekly one hour meetings taking place during the six week study period. Each class meeting will address specific aspects of CIPN. Participants will be presented with content related to basic neuroanatomy, physiology, the effects of chemotherapy on peripheral nervous system, how available allopathic treatments (pharmacological/psychopharmacological) can be helpful, and psychosocial issues related to CIPN. The final week of the psychoeducational group will include the identification of complementary interventions that may be of help to people living with CIPN.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• George Mason University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Paul G Clark, PhD · George Mason University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-05-31

Primary Completion

2010-07-31

Completion

2012-03-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations