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Tai Chi for Reducing Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia

Evaluating Tai Chi for Reducing Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia in Breast Cancer Survivors

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
Female only
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Time periods mentioned: 12 weeks

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "BCa patients with AIIA during the first 2 years of AI initiation will be equally randomized to either the TaiChi4Joint group or a health education AC group for 12 weeks."
  • "TaiChi4Joint Group: Routine virtual Tai Chi group classes via Zoom for 1 hour, twice a week, for 12 weeks, three assessments: baseline, post-intervention follow-up and 2-month post-intervention follow-up."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This small study tests whether a Tai Chi program called TaiChi4Joint is practical, well accepted, and helps ease joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, a type of hormone therapy. It compares Tai Chi with a control group. It is for women who have gone through menopause and have stage I–III breast cancer that grows in response to hormones.

The objective of the pilot RCT is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a Tai Chi intervention "TaiChi4Joint" vs. an HE AC group for relieving AIIA in women with hormone receptor positive stage I-III BCa. The investigators will pilot test our data collection for mechanism measures via three innovatively integrated biobehavioral pathways.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Be age 18 or older.
  • Have stage I–III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, which grows in response to hormones.
  • Have gone through menopause.
  • Be taking an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane), or be within 5 years of starting one.
  • Have joint pain that started or got worse after starting this medicine.
  • Rate your worst pain in the past week as at least 3 on a scale from 0 to 10.
  • Be able to complete study tasks in English.
  • Be willing to be assigned by chance to either group and follow study steps.

Who can't join

  • Be receiving cancer treatment other than hormone therapy.
  • Have poorly controlled heart or lung disease that makes participation unsafe.
  • Have done regular planned moderate or hard exercise for at least 150 minutes a week over the past 3 months.
  • Have done Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, or another planned mind-body activity at least twice a week over the past 3 months.
  • Have joint pain from arthritis that causes inflammation, or have had surgery or a joint injection within the past 4–6 weeks.
  • Have started or changed the dose of corticosteroids (steroid medicines) or opioids (strong pain medicines) within the past 4 weeks.
  • Plan to stop aromatase inhibitor treatment within the next 6 months.
  • Be a man; this study is limited to women with breast cancer.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: -Individuals must meet all the following inclusion criteria in order to be eligible to participate in the study: * Age ≥18 years * Diagnosis of stage I-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer * Postmenopausal * Currently receiving an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane) or within 5 years of initiation * Report joint pain that started or worsened after initiation of AI therapy * Report worst pain in the past week ≥3 on the BPI (0-10 scale) * Able to complete study procedures in English * Willing to be randomized to an intervention or attention control group and adhere to study procedures Exclusion Criteria: -An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Undergoing active cancer treatment (excluding endocrine therapy) * Uncontrolled cardiac or pulmonary disease that would limit safe participation * Currently engaged in regular structured moderate- or vigorous-intensity exercise (e.g., brisk walking, jogging/running, cycling, swimming, aerobic classes, or resistance training) totaling ≥150 minutes per week over the past 3 months * Currently participating in Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, or other structured mind-body practice ≥2 times per week over the past 3 months * Joint pain due to inflammatory arthritic conditions * Recent surgery or joint injection within the past 4-6 weeks * Initiation or dose change of corticosteroids or opioids within the past 4 weeks * Planned discontinuation of AI therapy within the next 6 months * This study is limited to women with breast cancer, as \<1% of cases occur in men and data on AIIA in male patients are limited

Study sites (1)

PA