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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06118853

Impact of Yoga and Gentle Massage Practices on Symptom Management in Patients Undergoing HSCT

This project aims to observe the impact of yoga and gentle massage practices on symptom management in patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) at the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital. It is a prospective, open label, randomized clinical study, comparing the practice of yoga or gentle massage combined with standard treatment versus standard treatment alone. Using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in 8 sessions, the investigators will analyze the domains of fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, and well-being before and after each session. The investigators will also assess Quality of Life - BMT, changes in Religiosity Scale before and after the intervention, and, at the end, Patient Satisfaction and subjective experience through a qualitative questionnaire. The hypothesis is that the practice of yoga and gentle massage combined with standard treatment is superior to standard treatment alone in symptom management in patients undergoing HSCT.

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Key information

Conditions

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Bone Marrow Transplantation

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Maria Ester Azevedo Massola

São Paulo, 05653000, Brazil

About this study

Primary Objective: To assess the impact of yoga and/or gentle massage practices plus standard treatment versus standard treatment alone on symptom management in patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS).

Secondary Objectives:

  • To analyze changes in the Quality-of-Life Scale during HSCT.
  • To analyze changes in the Religiosity Scale during HSCT.
  • To analyze the subjective experience of the patient during HSCT.
  • To analyze patient satisfaction during HSCT. Hypothesis: The practice of yoga or gentle massage combined with standard treatment is superior to standard treatment alone in symptom management in patients undergoing HSCT.

Population: The study will be conducted at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), with patients admitted to the Oncology and Hematology Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation. Only after obtaining Informed Consent (IC) from the patient, clinical and sociodemographic variables during hospitalization will be extracted from the institutional electronic medical record database: age, gender, month/year and type of transplant, conditioning intensity, donor type, cell source, and underlying disease.

Inclusion criteria

Adults aged 18 and above; admitted to HIAE, eligible for Bone Marrow Transplantation; patients who speak and read Portuguese.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with hearing impairment; patients previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia.

Sample Size: The sample will consist of a minimum of 40 patients for this study.

Based on a pilot sample (n = 40) with only one session of yoga or gentle massage, a variation of 1.58 points (SD = 1.58 points) in fatigue improvement was observed. To find a mean difference of at least 1.5 points between the intervention group (yoga or gentle massage plus standard treatment) and the control group (standard treatment alone) in the proposed 8 sessions, with a power of 80% and a confidence level of 95%, the required sample size for the study would be 18 patients in each group. Since, in addition to fatigue, other parameters such as pain, nausea, anxiety, and well-being will also be evaluated, the investigators will use a sample of at least 20 patients per group to account for these parameters as well, totaling at least 40 patients in the study.

Randomization: Randomization will be carried out according to the randomization block generated by the Redcap tool. Therefore, upon agreeing to participate in the protocol, each patient will be entered into Redcap and randomized according to the specified parameters, stratified by age groups: 18 to 40 / 41 to 60 / above 61 years, and by type of transplant: autologous, allogeneic, and umbilical cord.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 and above;
  • Admitted to HIAE, eligible for Bone Marrow Transplantation;
  • Patients who speak and read the Portuguese language.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with hearing impairment;
  • Patients previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorder: schizophrenia.

Treatment and study plan

yoga or gentle massage plus standard treatment for HSCT

Behavioral

The yoga sessions will be conducted at the patient's bedside, using one or more of the following techniques: gentle stretches (asanas), guided relaxation (savasana), slow and deep diaphragmatic breathing (pranayama), and meditative exercises focusing on natural breathing or visualization of a soothing place (dhyana). From these techniques, the integrative therapist will choose what best suits the patient for each session, based on their psychophysical state and symptoms presented, as there can be many variations during HSCT. Gentle massage is characterized by soft touches using light pressure, primarily using the palm of the hand, with a slow and steady rhythm across the entire body. It can be performed over clothing or even over the bedsheet and blanket.

Primary outcomes

  1. Symptom Management: fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, and well-being

    Time frame: The sessions will occur at the following time points: Session 1 and 2 - from admission to Day 0 (infusion) / Session 3 and 4: between Day 1 and Day 7 / Session 5 and 6: between Day 8 and Day 14 / Session 7 and 8: between Day 15 and Day 21 or discharge.

    The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale will be administered both before and after each of the 8 sessions in both groups to evaluate pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and well-being. The scale for each domain ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 signifies no symptoms or excellent well-being, and 10 signifies the most severe symptoms or worst possible well-being.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Scale of Quality-of-Life

    Time frame: Two assessment points: upon admission and on Day 21 or at discharge (whichever comes first).

    The investigators will use the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - Bone Marrow Transplantation scale, which is a quality-of-life questionnaire designed to measure aspects of quality of life related to bone marrow transplantation. The scale ranges from 0, representing the worst possible quality of life or well-being, to 148, indicating the highest quality of life or well-being. This scale has been translated into Portuguese and validated for use in Brazilian patients.

  2. Scale of Religiosity

    Time frame: Two assessment points: upon admission and on Day 21 or at discharge (whichever comes first).

    The Duke University Religion Index is a brief instrument for assessing aspects related to religiosity. The scale consists of five items that capture three dimensions of religiosity most related to health outcomes: organizational, non-organizational, and intrinsic religiosity. The score ranges from 1 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater religiosity. The scale has been translated into Portuguese and validated for use in Brazilian patients.

  3. Qualitative Report

    Time frame: Day 21 or at discharge (whichever comes first).

    On Day 21, a Qualitative Report will be presented through RedCap, and patients will be invited to provide a written response to an open question: "How was your experience with Integrative Medicine?"

  4. Patient-Reported Experience Measures

    Time frame: Day 21 or at discharge (whichever comes first).

    Investigators will utilize Patient-Reported Experience Measures with a scale ranging from 1 to 25, where higher scores indicate better patient experience and satisfaction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Yoga and Gentle Massage Practices on Symptom Management in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Acronym: Yoga

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 7, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 20, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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