Focused upper-body massage after radiation for people with breast cancer
Official title: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Focused Massage on Pain, Mobility, and Quality of Life During Radiation Treatment for Patients With Breast Cancer
Run by Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center · NCT07447700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot will try offering focused upper-body chair massages after radiation to people receiving curative breast cancer radiation to see if it reduces muscle and joint achiness and improves quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 55 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07447700 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with a new diagnosis of breast cancer receiving curative-intent radiation at The Ohio State University who can read English and are available for post-treatment chair massages are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with recurrent or palliative disease, those unable to read English, individuals with significant cognitive impairment, or those with uncontrolled major psychiatric disorders were excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot interventional study offers focused upper-body chair massages to patients after their radiation therapy sessions at a single center. Participants receiving curative-intent radiation for breast cancer will be invited to receive brief, targeted massages during their prescribed treatment period and complete symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires. Outcomes include patient-reported muscle and joint achiness, upper-extremity symptoms/disability, health-related quality of life, the need for repeat simulation or plan revision, and patient acceptability of the massages. The study is conducted at The Ohio State University and targets feasibility and preliminary effectiveness rather than definitive efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and improve quality of life for patients during radiation treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies of massage in cancer care have shown mixed but often positive effects on pain and quality of life, though focused chair massage specifically during radiation for breast cancer is relatively untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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
Where it's running
-
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Beth Steinber, PhD, RN — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN
- Email: beth.steinberg@osumc.edu
- Phone: 614-406-7067
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.