NCT00084123

Healing Touch and Relaxation Therapies in Cervical Cancer Patients

Healing Touch in Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients: Immune Effects and Mechanisms

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) · NIH
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of healing touch and relaxation therapy on cervical cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Detailed description

The side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment are often severe and can have devastating effects on the mental and physical well-being of cancer patients. This study will determine whether healing touch and relaxation therapy are effective in minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment in cervical cancer patients. Participants in this study will receive weekly chemotherapy and daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care (SC), SC plus relaxation therapy, or SC plus healing touch therapy. The relaxation therapy consists of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. The healing touch therapy involves an energy-based modality in which health care practitioners stimulate the energy fields surrounding the patient. A physician-completed assessment and measures of immune function will be used to assess the well-being and overall quality of life of participants.

Conditions

• Cervix Neoplasms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Healing Touch Therapy
BEHAVIORAL	Relaxation Therapy
BEHAVIORAL	Standard Care	Standard Care

Timeline

• Start date: 2002-09-01
• Primary completion: 2007-04-01
• Completion: 2007-04-01
• First posted: 2004-06-08
• Last updated: 2009-07-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States