Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

The Effect of Yoga on Nerve Pain Caused by Chemotherapy (Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy)

United States227 participantsStarted 2021-10-29

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether yoga can reduce nerve pain caused by cancer treatment (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN). Participants will take one of three approaches: * Yoga classes * Educational sessions on the causes and impacts of CIPN, how yoga may help with CIPN, and how different therapies may help with CIPN * Usual care with standard-of-care medications for CIPN The researchers will compare how these different approaches affect participants' balance, their risk of falls, and their quality of life. This study will also measure how much yoga can help the reduced sense of touch caused by CIPN. The functional assessments Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Chair to Stand (CTS) can be safely completed either virtually and in-person and will be mandatory for all patients. The functional assessment Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) assessments that can only be completed in-person are optional at these time points.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * English-proficient men and women aged ≥18 years * Free of oncologic disease or or stable disease by clinical examination and history * Completed neurotoxic chemotherapy such as platinum agents, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and bortezomib at least three months prior to enrollment * Diagnosis of CIPN based on symptom history, loss of deep tendon reflexes, or the presence of symmetrical stocking-glove pain, numbness, or paresthesia Grade ≥1 sensory pain based on the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 * Self-reported moderate to severe CIPN pain, as defined by a score of 4 or greater on the BPI-SF average pain item over the past week * On a stable regimen (no change in three months) if taking anti-neuropathy or other pain medications and not taking acetyl-L-carnitine * Willing to adhere to requirement that no new pain medication be taken throughout the first 12 weeks of the study period * Willing to adhere to all study-related procedures, including randomization to one of the three arms * Patient answers "Yes" to at least one factor in the question: "Do you think your balance, gait, posture, alignment, or flexibility has been affected by your experience of CIPN?" Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have received physical therapy or practiced yoga for CIPN in the past 3 months. As patients who have received physical therapy or practiced yoga in this time period may already be experiencing its benefits, we will exclude such p…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

measuring Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy pain severity after Yoga

Timeframe: up to 24 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05121558

SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-09-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy trials