Yoga versus massage in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-associated knee joint pain in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.