Tai Chi for Reducing Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia

Summary

The objective of the pilot RCT is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a Tai Chi intervention "TaiChi4Joint" vs. an HE AC group for relieving AIIA in women with hormone receptor positive stage I-III BCa. The investigators will pilot test our data collection for mechanism measures via three innovatively integrated biobehavioral pathways.

Detailed Description

40 patients from Thomas Jefferson University with a diagnosis of stage I-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who are postmenopausal, currently receiving an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane) or within 5 years of initiation, report joint pain that started or worsened after initiation of AI therapy, and report worst pain in the past week of ≥3 on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) 0-10 scale, indicating at least moderate pain. Eligible participants must be able to complete study procedures in English, be willing to be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or attention control group, and adhere to study procedures. Participants will be excluded if they are currently engaged in regular structured moderate- or vigorous-intensity exercise totaling ≥150 minutes per week over the past 3 months, or participating in Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, or other structured mind-body practice ≥2 times per week over the past 3 months. BCa patients with AIIA during the first 2 years of AI initiation will be equally randomized to either the TaiChi4Joint group or a health education AC group for 12 weeks. TaiChi4Joint Group: Routine virtual Tai Chi group classes via Zoom for 1 hour, twice a week, for 12 weeks, three assessments: baseline, post-intervention follow-up and 2-month post-intervention follow-up. Health Education Attention Control Group: Routine virtual AC classes delivered remotely, three assessments: baseline, post-intervention follow-up and 2-month post-intervention follow up. Primary Objectives: Examine the feasibility and acceptability of the RCT design and implementation Feasibility will be measured through consent rate, treatment attendance and retention. Secondary Objectives: Examine the acceptability of the interventions. Acceptability will be indicated by participants-reporting treatment satisfaction using a standardized measure. Patient perceived creditability of the intervention, and patients' fidelity of the intervention and teleassessment will also be measured.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions