12-week virtual dance program for persistent post-surgical breast cancer pain
Assessing the Impact of a 12-week Dance Intervention on Quality of Life, Post-surgical Pain, Fatigue, and Body Image in Breast Cancer Survivors
This program will try a 12-week virtual dance intervention to see if it reduces ongoing post-surgical pain and improves quality of life for breast cancer survivors who had a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06758102 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-arm Phase 1 study enrolls about 30 breast cancer survivors who report persistent post-surgical pain at least three months after lumpectomy or mastectomy. Participants take part in a 12-week virtual dance program with screening and questionnaires, and overall participation lasts up to 16 weeks. The study collects participant-reported outcomes including pain severity (NRS), quality of life, fatigue, and body image, and requires ability to perform seated exercises. Key exclusions include metastatic disease, unstable cardiovascular conditions, untreated severe psychiatric disorders, and pregnancy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18) with prior stage 0–III breast cancer who had a lumpectomy or mastectomy and report moderate to severe persistent post-surgical pain (NRS ≥3) at least three months after completion of surgery and other treatments, who can read English and perform seated exercises.
Not a fit: Patients with metastatic disease, unstable cardiovascular conditions, untreated severe psychiatric or substance use disorders, pregnancy, inability to perform seated exercises, or those with mild pain (NRS <3) are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could provide an accessible, non-drug approach to reduce persistent post-surgical pain and improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous exercise and dance interventions in cancer survivorship have shown benefits for quality of life and fatigue, but evidence specifically for treating persistent post-surgical breast pain is limited and this approach remains relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * History of Stage 0-III invasive breast cancer * Having undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy * Moderate to severe persistent post-surgical pain, as defined by pain scores ≥3 on a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0-10 (10 being the most severe pain) at least 3 months after completion of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation * Pain scores of 3-4 are categorized as moderate pain; scores of 5-10 are categorized as severe pain26 * Age ≥ 18 years * Able to read and understand English (to complete required questionnaires and participate in classes) * Ability to provide informed consent * Ability to perform seated exercises Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable cardiovascular disease in the last 6 months * Psychiatric disorders or conditions that would preclude participation in the study intervention (e.g. untreated major depression or psychosis, untreated substance use disorder, severe personality disorder) * Metastatic breast or other concurrent cancer * Pregnant * Recent history of attending regular dance or similar classes (e.g. yoga or tai chi classes i.e. 20 or more classes in the past 6 months) * Planned surgery anticipated during the intervention period * History of a chronic medical condition that has the potential to significantly impact upper extremity function (e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis) * Currently enrolled in a physical therapy course * Presence of medical conditions or medications that would prohibit participation in an exercise program
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Ligibel, MD — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Ligibel, MD
- Email: jennifer_ligibel@dfci.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-632-3800
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.