7-day Via Shalva integrative retreat for breast and gynecologic cancer survivors
Pilot Observational Study of an Integrative Cure Stay Program
This pilot will try a 7-day integrative retreat called Via Shalva for breast and gynecologic cancer survivors to see if the program is feasible and whether participants show changes in symptoms, wearable physiological data, and biological markers versus matched controls.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel) |
| Trial ID | NCT07398079 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, single-center, observational matched-cohort pilot that runs alongside a 7-day individualized integrative oncology retreat (Via Shalva) at University Hospital Basel. The study measures feasibility outcomes (recruitment, retention, adherence, and data completeness) and collects patient-reported outcomes, wearable-derived physiological data, and biological samples at six time points over six months. Retreat participants are compared with a matched control group who do not attend the retreat to explore preliminary differences in symptoms, wellbeing, and stress-related biomarkers. Findings are intended to inform the design and feasibility of future randomized controlled trials of integrative oncology interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) who are breast or gynecologic cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment and are able to travel to and participate in the 7-day retreat are ideal candidates, including those on ongoing maintenance therapies.
Not a fit: People with significant language or cognitive impairments, those unable to attend the retreat or follow-up visits, or those for whom the retreat components are contraindicated may not receive benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could provide a structured week-long integrative approach that may reduce fatigue, anxiety, and stress and improve quality of life and related biomarkers for survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Some smaller trials of individual integrative components (yoga, mindfulness, acupuncture) have shown symptom benefits, but structured prospective data on multi-component retreat programs are limited and largely untested in matched-cohort designs.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Breast and gynecological cancer (including but not limited to ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer) survivors, including recurrent disease * Completed primary treatment (operation +/- radiation +/- chemotherapy) * Age ≥ 18 years * Ongoing or planned maintenance treatment scheduled for \> 3 months during study period is allowed (e.g. antihormonal therapy, Anti-Her2-antibodies, CDK4/6-inhibitors, Anti-VEGF-inhibitor, PARP-inhibitor, immune-checkpoint inhibitors etc.) * Signed informed consent for participation of the trials * Presence of a stoma is allowed * Prior cancer is allowed * Prior treatment - including chemotherapy - for a prior malignant tumor (including breast or gynecological cancer) is allowed * Concomitant participation in an experimental therapeutic drug trial is allowed * Use of other complementary methods (including mistletoe) is allowed * Pregnancy is allowed. Exclusion Criteria: * Language or cognitive deficits (including impaired consciousness) that are incompatible with the participation in the study * Severe physical or psychiatric comorbidity that prevents a patient from participating in the study * Patients incapable of giving consent
Where this trial is running
Basel
- University Hospital Basel — Basel, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Isabell Ge, MD
- Email: Isabellxiang.ge@usb.ch
- Phone: +41 61 32 85885
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.