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Yoga versus massage in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-associated knee joint pain in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

Scientific reports
January 1, 1970
Chia-Lin Tsai et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of massage on aromatase inhibitor-associated knee joint pain in breast cancer survivors.

Results Summary

Massage showed some therapeutic effects on knee joint pain, but yoga was significantly more effective. The study also noted changes in plasma cytokine levels and meridian energy associated with the interventions.

Population

Postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive, early-stage, or metastatic breast cancer experiencing AI-associated knee joint pain.

Effective Dosage

6-week massage intervention (specific frequency not detailed).

Duration

6 weeks (plus 2-week rest and 6-week yoga exposure in crossover design).

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)
increase
risk of falls due to AI-associated knee joint pain
postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive, early-stage, and metastatic breast cancer
-
significantly increased
#1
yoga
decrease
AI-associated knee joint pain
Breast cancer survivors
-
significantly reduced
#2
yoga
neutral
plasma cytokine levels
Breast cancer survivors
-
improvements were associated with changes
#3
yoga
neutral
meridian energy
Breast cancer survivors
-
improvements were associated with changes
#4
Abstract

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are standard adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive, early-stage, and metastatic breast cancer. Although effective, the risk of falls due to AI-associated knee joint pain significantly increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of yoga and massage on AI-associated knee joint pain. Breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to a 6-week yoga intervention-2-week rest-6-week massage exposure (Yoga first, n = 30) or a 6-week massage intervention-2-week rest-6-week yoga exposure (Massage first, n = 30). Evaluations of the treatment efficacy were made at baseline, post-intervention, and post-exposure using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, plasma cytokine levels, and changes in meridian energy. The results showed that yoga, superior to massage intervention, significantly reduced AI-associated knee joint pain, as demonstrated by the WOMAC pain score. The yoga intervention improvements were also associated with changes in plasma cytokine levels and meridian energy changes. In conclusion, this study provides scientific evidence that yoga was more effective than massage for reducing AI-associated knee joint pain. Meridian energy changes may provide another scientific, objective, non-invasive way to monitor the therapeutic effects of yoga and investigate another alternative, complementary medicine.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAgedAntineoplastic AgentsAromatase InhibitorsArthralgiaBreast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsFemaleHumansKnee JointMassageMiddle AgedReceptors, EstrogenYoga
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy60/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations8
Citations/Year2.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.74
NIH Percentile39.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.63
Normalized Score0.60
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