Polarity Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Radiation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Background Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most frequently reported side effect of cancer and its treatment. In previous research, Polarity Therapy (PT), an energy therapy, was shown to reduce CRF in patients receiving radiation. This study reports on a small randomized clinical trial designed to collect preliminary data on the efficacy of PT compared with an active control (massage) and passive control (standard care) for CRF among cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. Methods Forty-five women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer were randomized to I of 3 weekly treatment conditions. Patients received standard clinical care, 3 modified massages, or 3 PT treatments. CRF and healthrelated quality of life (HRQL) were assessed during baseline and the 3 intervention weeks. Results TResults show CRF ratings were reduced after PT. The effect sizes for PT versus modified massage and versus standard care were small when using the primary measure of CRF (Brief Fatigue Inventory) and large when using the secondary measure of CRF (Daily CRF Diaries).The effect size was medium when assessing the benefit of PT on maintaining HRQL compared with standard care with very little difference between the PT and modified massage conditions. Patients’ feedback showed that both the modified massage and PT treatments were deemed useful by radiation patients. Conclusion. The present pilot randomized clinical trial supports previous experimental research showing that PT, a noninvasive and gentle energy therapy, may be effective in controlling CRF. Further confirmatory studies as well as investigations of the possible mechanisms of PT are warranted.

Attitudes towards massage modify effects of manual therapy in breast cancer survivors: a randomised clinical trial with crossover design

“…Previous research has shown long-term effect of different modalities of massage in cancer-related symptoms in breast cancer survivors (Billhult et al 2007;Imanishi et al 2009;Listing et al 2009Listing et al , 2010Sturgeon et al 2009;Krohn et al 2011;Mustian et al 2011). However, several of these studies did not obtain improvements in mood state in these patients (Billhult et al 2007;Krohn et al 2011).…”

“…Different modalities of massage tested in high-quality trials have shown to be effective during (Billhult et al 2007(Billhult et al , 2009Sturgeon et al 2009;Sharp et al 2010) and after (Imanishi et al 2009;Listing et al 2009Listing et al , 2010Krohn et al 2011) cancer treatment; however, some types of massage based on superficial manoeuvres have not shown to be effective (Billhult et al 2008). Furthermore, moderate effect sizes for improving quality of life of patients suffering cancerrelated fatigue had been found using polarity therapy (Mustian et al 2011). Nevertheless, psychophysiological mechanisms involved within massage applied over patients with cancer-related fatigue have not been clarified (Krohn et al 2011;Mustian et al 2011).…”

“…Furthermore, moderate effect sizes for improving quality of life of patients suffering cancerrelated fatigue had been found using polarity therapy (Mustian et al 2011). Nevertheless, psychophysiological mechanisms involved within massage applied over patients with cancer-related fatigue have not been clarified (Krohn et al 2011;Mustian et al 2011).…”

Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence‐based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment

“…healing touch, 94 homeopathy,[263][264][265] hypnosis, 97 laser therapy, 111 manual lymphatic draining, 113 massage, 87 meditation, 26,72 movement,235,264 music therapy, 89 multimodal,199,210,230,236,237,267 multivitamin,238 polarity therapy,239,240 relaxation,69,77 shenqi fuzheng,202 shark cartilage,268 soy,149 supportive-expressive group therapy,269 tai chi 214,[270][271][272] Physical functioningMind-body cognitive therapy,234 music therapy, 33 multimodal, 199 myofascial release, 209 reflexology,139 stress management, 37 tai chi,270,272 yoga 45,79,84,273…”

Putting Evidence Into Practice: An Update of Evidence-Based Interventions for Cancer-Related Fatigue During and Following Treatment

“…(Aghabati, Mohammadi, & Pour Esmaiel, 2010;Ahles et al, 1999; Currin & Meister, 2008;Fernández-Lao et al, 2012;FitzHenry et al, 2014; Karagozoglu & Kahve, 2013; Khiewkhern, Promthet, Sukprasert, Eunhpinitpong, & Bradshaw, 2013;Lutgendorf et al, 2010; Mehling et al, 2012;Mustian et al, 2011;Post-White et al, 2003;Roscoe, Matteson, Mustian, Padmanaban, & Morrow, 2005;Tsang, Carlson, & Olson, 2007; van den Berg, Visser, Schoolmeesters, Edelman, & van den Borne…”