Recruiting

Focused Upper Body Massage

Sponsor:

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Code:

NCT07447700

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Radiation Therapy Patient

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

upper body massage

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this interventional study is to to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a focused upper body massage when offered after radiation treatments to participants diagnosed with breast cancer. Given the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints during radiation therapy delivery and acknowledging the emotional stress associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the aims of this pilot study are to: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of a focused upper body massage, available after radiation treatments, on patient's muscle and joint achiness and disability/symptoms of the upper extremities; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of a focused chair massage, available after radiation treatments on health-related quality of life; 3) assess the need for repeating the pre-radiation simulation process and revising the established treatment plan; and 4) and evaluate patient acceptability of the massages offered during the course of radiation treatment.

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Radiation Therapy Patient

Study ID

NCT07447700

Start date

Apr 1, 2026

Status verified date

Feb, 2026

Completion date

Aug 30, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 30, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years of age or older
2. Diagnosis of breast cancer
3. Treatment plan for curative intent radiation at SSBC
4. Radiation treatment frequency can be daily, every other day, and twice weekly
5. Agreeable to and available for focused chair massages post-radiation treatments during the prescribed treatment period

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with recurrent disease (breast cancer)
2. Patients treated palliatively with radiation treatments
3. Inability to read and/or understand English (consent and questionnaires in English)
4. Patients with documented cognitive disorder that limits the ability to independently read, understand, and/or complete the survey measures; i.e. dementia, Alzheimer's
5. Patients with major psychiatric disorders not controlled by medication or other psychiatric treatments

Study Design

Enrollment

55 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Intervention

Interventions

upper body massage

brief massage of the upper back, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands; participant is fully clothed during the massage

Primary outcome measure

  • Musculoskeletal and Joint Pain [ Time Frame: Measured: Baseline; Every 7 days up to 10 weeks; 6 weeks after participant study completion ]
  • Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand - short version (QuickDASH) [ Time Frame: Measured: Baseline; Every 7 days up to 10 weeks; 6 weeks after participant study completion ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN

614-406-7067beth.steinberg@osumc.edu

Sienna Andres, BA

380-283-6479sienna.andres@osumc.edu

Locations

The Ohio State University

Recruiting

Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210

Contacts

Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN

614-406-7067beth.steinberg@osumc.edu

More Information

Sponsor

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Last update posted

Jul 2, 2026

Last verified

Feb, 2026

Keywords

  • breast cancer
  • radiation therapy
  • muscle and joint achiness
  • quality of life
  • re-simulation

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center on 2026-07-02.