Electro-acupuncture versus battle field auricular acupuncture in breast cancer survivors with chronic musculoskeletal pain: subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is common and debilitating among breast cancer survivors. The PEACE trial demonstrated that electro-acupuncture (EA) and battle field auricular acupuncture (BFAA) both reduced pain more than usual care (UC) in cancer survivors. However, the comparative effectiveness between EA and BFAA among breast cancer survivors is unknown. METHODS: EA and BFAA received ten weekly treatments. UC was offered ten EA treatments after week 12. The primary endpoint was change in mean Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) pain severity from baseline to week 12. We analyzed the subset of 165 (46%) trial participants with a breast cancer primary diagnosis. We conducted constrained linear mixed model analyses, which constrained all arms to a common pre-randomization baseline mean. Model-based mean estimates at weeks 12 and 24 were compared between arms using model contrasts. RESULTS: Among 165 breast cancer survivors, common pre-randomization mean pain severity was 5.35 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 5.04, 5.66]. At week 12, BPI pain severity score was 2.69 (2.26. 3.13) in EA, 3.60 (3.17, 4.02) in BFAA, and 5.06 (4.47, 5.65) in UC. EA reduced pain severity significantly more than BFAA at weeks 12 [- 0.90 (- 1.45, - 0.36), p = 0.001] and 24 [- 0.82, (- 1.38, - 0.27), p = 0.004]. EA and BFAA significantly improved both Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Global Health physical health and mental health component scores at week 12 compared to UC. Mild toxicities were reported. CONCLUSION: EA was more effective than BFAA at reducing pain severity, but both similarly improved physical and mental health scores. Breast cancer survivors with chronic musculoskeletal pain may consider EA before BFAA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02979574. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02979574.

Fear of analgesic side effects predicts preference for acupuncture: a cross-sectional study of cancer patients with pain in the USA.

PURPOSE: Approximately one in two cancer patients globally are under-treated for pain. Opioids and other analgesics represent the mainstay of cancer pain management; however, barriers to their use are well-documented. We evaluated whether acupuncture would be a preferable treatment option among cancer patients with attitudinal barriers to pharmacological pain management. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of cancer patients at a tertiary urban cancer center and eleven suburban/rural hospitals in the Northeastern United States. We assessed attitudinal barriers to pharmacological pain management with the Barriers Questionnaire (BQ-13). The BQ-13 consists of two subscales: pain management beliefs and analgesic side effects. We also asked patients whether they prefer acupuncture, analgesics, or have no preference between these two modalities for pain management. Covariates included sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and attitudes/beliefs about acupuncture. We used logistic regression to examine the association between attitudinal barriers and acupuncture preference. RESULTS: Among 628 patients, 197 (31.4%) preferred acupuncture for pain management, 146 (23.3%) preferred analgesics, and 285 (45.4%) had no preference. The highest reported attitudinal barriers were fear of addiction and fear of analgesic-associated constipation and nausea. Adjusting for covariates, we found that attitudinal barriers related to fear of analgesic side effects were significantly associated with acupuncture preference (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.81), but barriers related to pain management beliefs were not (AOR 1.17, 95% CI 0.91-1.51). Attitudes/beliefs about acupuncture (i.e., greater expected benefits, fewer perceived barriers, and more positive social norms) and female gender also predicted acupuncture preference, whereas race and educational status did not. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may be a preferable treatment option among cancer patients at risk of inadequately controlled pain due to fear of analgesic side effects. Evidence-based integration of acupuncture and analgesics, guided by patient treatment preferences, represents an essential aspect of patient-centered care and has potential to address unmet cancer pain management needs.

Hyperarousal and Insomnia in Survivors of Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are prone to insomnia due to the physical and psychological sequelae of cancer and treatment. Individuals with insomnia may present symptoms of hyperarousal. Cancer survivors with insomnia and trait hyperarousal may require different clinical treatments than patients with insomnia without trait hyperarousal. To our knowledge, no study has examined these factors previously. This study examined the relation between insomnia and trait hyperarousal in cancer survivors. METHODS: The sample included 160 individuals with previous cancer diagnoses who met DSM-5 criteria for insomnia disorder. Measures were collected with cross-sectional batteries of questionnaires, including the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Hyperarousal Scale (HAS). This study is based on baseline data collected in a randomized clinical trial comparing CBT-I to acupuncture for cancer survivors with insomnia (Garland, Gehrman, Barg, Xie, & Mao, 2016). RESULTS: Hyperarousal was positively associated with insomnia (ISI total score) in bivariate correlations (r = .350, p < .01) and linear regressions (F = 22.06, p < .001). In bivariate correlations, hyperarousal was related to perceptions about the consequences of disturbed sleep rather than reported sleep patterns. For example, hyperarousal was positively related to reported satisfaction (r = .159, p < .05) and worry about sleep (r = .415, p < .01), but not to falling asleep, staying asleep, or awakening too early. In regressions, younger age, insomnia duration, and worry about sleep were uniquely associated with hyperarousal when adjusting for insomnia (B = 0.200, B = 0.177, B = -0.182, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperarousal is associated with psychological appraisal of insomnia rather than reported sleep pattern. Younger age and longer duration of insomnia are associated with trait hyperarousal. These findings suggest targeting trait hyperarousal with amplified psychological treatment may lead to more personalized, effective treatment for insomnia.

Effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy on cognitive function in cancer survivors with insomnia: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a prevalent, disruptive condition potentially exacerbated by sleep disturbances. The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on objective and subjective cognitive function in cancer survivors with insomnia. METHODS: Using data from a randomized clinical trial (160 survivors) that compared acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia occurring in cancer survivors, the authors analyzed cognitive outcomes and their relationship to insomnia symptoms. Analysis was limited to 99 patients who reported baseline cognitive difficulties. Interventions were delivered over 8 weeks. Objective attention, learning, and memory were evaluated using the Buschke Selective Reminding Test. Subjective cognitive function was assessed using the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales. Insomnia symptoms were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index. All outcomes were collected at baseline, week 8, and week 20. RESULTS: From baseline to week 8, acupuncture produced statistically significant within-group improvements in objective attention (Cohen D, 0.29), learning (Cohen D, 0.31), and memory (Cohen D, 0.33) that persisted to week 20 (all P < .05), whereas CBT-I produced a statistically significant within-group improvement in objective attention from baseline to week 20 (Cohen D, 0.50; P < .05); between-group differences were not statistically significant. Both interventions produced statistically significant within-group improvements in subjective cognitive function at weeks 8 and 20 compared with baseline (all P < .001); between-group differences were not statistically significant. In the acupuncture group, patients with clinically meaningful responses with regard to insomnia symptoms demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in subjective cognitive function compared with those without clinically meaningful insomnia responses (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Among cancer survivors with insomnia, both acupuncture and CBT-I produced significant improvements in objective and subjective cognitive function. However, the effect sizes varied and only survivors in the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant relationship between cognitive and sleep outcomes. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation to guide the personalized management of patients with cancer-related cognitive impairment.

What if Acupuncture Were Covered by Insurance for Pain Management? A Cross-Sectional Study of Cancer Patients at One Academic Center and 11 Community Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: In response to the national opioid crisis, governmental and medical organizations have called for broader insurance coverage of acupuncture to improve access to nonpharmacologic pain therapies, especially in cancer populations, where undertreatment of pain is prevalent. We evaluated whether cancer patients would be willing to use insurance-covered acupuncture for pain. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of cancer patients with pain at one academic center and 11 community hospitals. METHODS: We used logistic regression models to examine factors associated with willingness to use insurance-covered acupuncture for pain. RESULTS: Among 634 cancer patients, 304 (47.9%) reported willingness to use insurance-covered acupuncture for pain. In univariate analyses, patients were more likely to report willingness if they had severe pain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-2.45) but were less likely if they were nonwhite (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39-0.90) or had only received high school education or less (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.32-0.65). After adjusting for attitudes and beliefs in multivariable analyses, willingness was no longer significantly associated with education (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.50-1.21) and was more negatively associated with nonwhite race (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.29-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in two cancer patients was willing to use insurance-covered acupuncture for pain. Willingness was influenced by patients' attitudes and beliefs, which are potentially modifiable through counseling and education. Further research on racial disparities is needed to close the gap in utilization as acupuncture is integrated into insurance plans in response to the opioid crisis.

The association between fatigue and pain symptoms and decreased physical activity after cancer.

PURPOSE: Patients with cancer frequently experience symptoms such as fatigue and pain that can influence their ability to maintain their usual physical activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate whether symptoms of fatigue and pain are associated with decreased PA among patients with cancer. METHODS: We recruited patients with a cancer diagnosis from one academic medical center and 11 affiliated community hospitals to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between symptoms, demographics, and clinical characteristics and decreased PA since cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 629 participants, 499 (79%) reported a decreased level of PA since their cancer diagnosis. In the past 7 days from the time of the survey, 78% of participants reported moderate to very severe fatigue, and 68% reported a pain level 4 or greater on a scale of 0 to 10. Adjusted for covariates, patients with fatigue (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 4.01, 95% CI 2.41-6.65) and pain (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.14-3.12) had higher odds of reporting decreased PA since diagnosis. Receipt of chemotherapy or currently receiving active cancer treatment was also associated with decreased PA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue and pain are associated with decreased PA among patients with cancer, even after adjusting for cancer treatment. Interventions focused on managing these symptoms may help promote maintenance of PA throughout cancer treatment and beyond.

Racial differences in treatment adherence and response to acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia among Black and White cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in sleep are well-documented. However, evidence-based options for addressing these disparities are lacking in cancer populations. To inform future research on sleep interventions, this study aims to understand racial differences in treatment responses to acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) among Black and White cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a comparative effectiveness trial evaluating acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia in cancer survivors. We compared insomnia severity, sleep characteristics, and co-morbid symptoms, as well as treatment attitudes, adherence, and responses among Black and White participants. RESULTS: Among 156 cancer survivors (28% Black), Black survivors reported poorer sleep quality, longer sleep onset latency, and higher pain at baseline, compared to White survivors (all p < 0.05). Black survivors demonstrated lower adherence to CBT-I than White survivors (61.5% vs. 88.5%, p = 0.006), but their treatment response to CBT-I was similar to white survivors. Black survivors had similar adherence to acupuncture as white survivors (82.3% vs. 93.4%, p = 0.16), but they had greater reduction in insomnia severity with acupuncture (-3.0 points, 95% CI -5.4 to 0.4, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study identified racial differences in sleep characteristics, as well as treatment adherence and responses to CBT-I and acupuncture. To address racial disparities in sleep health, future research should focus on improving CBT-I adherence and confirming the effectiveness of acupuncture in Black cancer survivors.

Battlefield acupuncture for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors: a novel care delivery model for oncology acupuncture.

Introduction: Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a standardized auricular acupuncture protocol, is widely used for pain in the military but is not well-studied in oncology. This study examined cancer survivors who received BFA for pain. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that compared the effectiveness of BFA and electroacupuncture vs. usual care for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors. This study focused on participants randomized to BFA. Participants received 10 weekly treatments. Needles were placed until one of these stop conditions were satisfied: ten needles were administered; pain severity decreased to ≤1 out of 10; patient declined further needling, or vasovagal reaction was observed. Pain severity was assessed using Brief Pain Inventory. Responders were those with ≥30% pain severity reduction. We examined pain location, BFA stop reason, and pain reduction of participants during the first session. We also examined which factors predicted responder status after the first session (week 1) or the full treatment (week 12). Results: Among 143 randomized to BFA, most common pain locations were lower back (30.8%) and knee/leg (18.2%). Of 138 who initiated treatment, 41 (30.0%) received ten needles; 81 (59.1%) achieved pain ≤1; 14 (10.2%) declined further needling; and 1 (0.7%) had vasovagal reaction. BFA reduced pain severity by 2.9 points (95% CI 2.6 to 3.2) after the first session (P < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline pain severity, responders at week 1 were 2.5 times more likely to be responders at week 12, compared to those who were non-responders at week 1 (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.02 to 6.11, P = 0.04). Among those who achieved pain ≤1, 74% were responders at week 12, a higher proportion compared to the proportion of responders among those who received ten needles (39.5%), those who declined further needling (50%), and those with vasovagal reaction (0.0%) (P = 0.001). Those with pain in proximal joints had a higher proportion of responders at week 12, compared to those with pain in distal joints (64.2% vs. 20%, P = 0.008). Conclusion: Specific factors may predict the likelihood of achieving meaningful pain reduction from BFA. Understanding these predictors could inform precision pain management and acupuncture delivery models.

Effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cancer survivors with insomnia: an exploratory analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with poor sleep. This study examined the effects of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on serum BDNF and sleep outcomes in cancer survivors with insomnia. METHODS: This was an exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial (n = 160) comparing acupuncture versus CBT-I for cancer survivors with insomnia. Interventions were delivered over 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and week 8. Serum BDNF was evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sleep was evaluated with the insomnia severity index and consensus sleep diary. Pearson correlations between BDNF and sleep outcomes were calculated. Data analysis was limited to 87 survivors who provided serum samples. RESULTS: Among 87 survivors, the mean age was 61.9 (SD: 11.4) years, 51.7% were women, and 24.1% were non-White. Mean serum BDNF did not significantly increase in acupuncture (n = 50) or CBT-I (n = 37) groups. When analysis was restricted to patients with low baseline BDNF (i.e. levels below the sample median of 47.1 ng/mL), the acupuncture group (n = 22) demonstrated a significant 7.2 ng/mL increase in mean serum BDNF (P = 0.03), whereas the CBT-I group (n = 21) demonstrated a non-significant 2.9 ng/mL increase (P = 0.28). Serum BDNF was not significantly correlated with sleep outcomes (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among cancer survivors with insomnia and low baseline BDNF, acupuncture significantly increased serum BDNF levels; however, the clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation.Trial registration no. NCT02356575 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture or Auricular Acupuncture vs Usual Care for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among Cancer Survivors: The PEACE Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: The opioid crisis creates challenges for cancer pain management. Acupuncture confers clinical benefits for chronic nonmalignant pain, but its effectiveness in cancer survivors remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of electroacupuncture or auricular acupuncture for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Personalized Electroacupuncture vs Auricular Acupuncture Comparative Effectiveness (PEACE) trial is a randomized clinical trial that was conducted from March 2017 to October 2019 (follow-up completed April 2020) across an urban academic cancer center and 5 suburban sites in New York and New Jersey. Study statisticians were blinded to treatment assignments. The 360 adults included in the study had a prior cancer diagnosis but no current evidence of disease, reported musculoskeletal pain for at least 3 months, and self-reported pain intensity on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized 2:2:1 to electroacupuncture (n = 145), auricular acupuncture (n = 143), or usual care (n = 72). Intervention groups received 10 weekly sessions of electroacupuncture or auricular acupuncture. Ten acupuncture sessions were offered to the usual care group from weeks 12 through 24. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in average pain severity score on the BPI from baseline to week 12. Using a gatekeeping multiple-comparison procedure, electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture were compared with usual care using a linear mixed model. Noninferiority of auricular acupuncture to electroacupuncture was tested if both interventions were superior to usual care. RESULTS: Among 360 cancer survivors (mean [SD] age, 62.1 [12.7] years; mean [SD] baseline BPI score, 5.2 [1.7] points; 251 [69.7%] women; and 88 [24.4%] non-White), 340 (94.4%) completed the primary end point. Compared with usual care, electroacupuncture reduced pain severity by 1.9 points (97.5% CI, 1.4-2.4 points; P < .001) and auricular acupuncture reduced by 1.6 points (97.5% CI, 1.0-2.1 points; P < .001) from baseline to week 12. Noninferiority of auricular acupuncture to electroacupuncture was not demonstrated. Adverse events were mild; 15 of 143 (10.5%) patients receiving auricular acupuncture and 1 of 145 (0.7%) patients receiving electroacupuncture discontinued treatments due to adverse events (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial among cancer survivors with chronic musculoskeletal pain, electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture produced greater pain reduction than usual care. However, auricular acupuncture did not demonstrate noninferiority to electroacupuncture, and patients receiving it had more adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02979574.

Clinical and genetic risk factors for aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Arthralgia is a common and debilitating toxicity of aromatase inhibitors (AI) that leads to premature drug discontinuation. We sought to evaluate the clinical and genetic risk factors associated with AI-associated arthralgia (AIAA). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women with stage 0-III breast cancer who were prescribed a third-generation AI for adjuvant therapy. The primary outcome was patient-reported AIAA occurrence. We extracted and assayed germline DNA for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes implicated in estrogen and inflammation pathways. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between demographic, clinical, and genetic factors and AIAA. Analyses were restricted to White participants. RESULTS: Among 1049 White participants, 543 (52%) reported AIAA. In multivariable analyses, women who had a college education [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.49, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.00-2.20], had a more recent transition into menopause (<10 years) (5-10 years AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.09-2.22; <5 years AOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.18-2.67), were within one year of starting AIs (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.40), and those who received chemotherapy (AOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.02-1.88) were significantly more likely to report AIAA. Additionally, SNP rs11648233 (HSD17B2) was significantly associated with higher odds of AIAA (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.55-3.16). CONCLUSIONS: Time since menopause and start of AIs, prior chemotherapy, and SNP rs11648233 within the HSD17B2 gene in the estrogen pathway were significantly associated with patient-reported AIAA. These findings suggest that clinical and genetic factors involved in estrogen withdrawal increase the risk of AIAA in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.

Personalized electro-acupuncture versus auricular-acupuncture comparative effectiveness (PEACE): A protocol of a randomized controlled trial for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and remains under-treated in nearly half of patients with cancer. The opioid crisis has highlighted an urgent public health need for effective nonpharmacological pain management. Electroacupuncture (EA) and Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) represent nonpharmacological modalities used in clinical practice to manage pain; however, their effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated in oncology settings. METHODS: We describe the design of a 3-arm, parallel, single-center, multisite randomized controlled trial that investigates EA and BFA versus usual-care wait-list control (WLC) for chronic musculoskeletal pain among 360 patients with diverse cancer types across various stages. The primary aim is to compare effects of EA and BFA versus WLC on pain, physical function, and co-morbid symptoms. The secondary aim is to examine the interaction between patient outcome expectancy and acupuncture modality (EA vs BFA) on pain reduction. The tertiary aim is to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms and responses to acupuncture. Patients will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to EA:BFA:WLC. Acupuncture groups will receive weekly treatments over 10 weeks. WLC will receive usual care over the same evaluation period as the acupuncture groups. The primary endpoint will be the change in average pain intensity score from baseline to week 12. We will collect validated patient-reported outcomes and blood/saliva samples at multiple timepoints over 24 weeks. DISCUSSION: Our findings will advance nonpharmacological pain management in oncology and inform personalized treatment approaches that integrate individuals' expectations and genetic biomarkers to deliver "precision" acupuncture to cancer patients with chronic pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02979574.

The Relationship Between Insomnia and Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cognitive impairment is an emerging public health burden. Growing research suggests that sleep disturbances contribute to poor cognition. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between insomnia and cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from a cohort study of postmenopausal women with stage 0-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer on aromatase inhibitor therapy. The study was conducted between November 2011 and April 2015 at an academic cancer center (Philadelphia, PA). Insomnia was assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. Perceived cognitive impairment was assessed with the cognitive subscale of the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist. We used linear regression to evaluate the association between insomnia and perceived cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Among 1072 patients, 556 (51.9%) reported insomnia and 847 (79.0%) were bothered by cognitive symptoms (forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, distractibility). Greater perceived cognitive impairment was reported by patients with mild insomnia (regression coefficient [ß] = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23 to 0.46, P < .001), moderate insomnia (ß = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.36 to 0.65, P < .001), and severe insomnia (ß = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.67 to 1.21, P < .001), compared with those without insomnia. Greater perceived cognitive impairment was also associated with patients younger than 55 years (ß = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.45, P < .001), taxane-based chemotherapy (ß = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.004 to 0.22, P = .04), anxiety (ß = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.64, P < .001), and depression (ß = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.94, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy, insomnia and cognitive impairment are prevalent and characterized by a graded association, in which severity of perceived cognitive impairment increases as insomnia severity increases. Our findings warrant further research to determine whether addressing sleep is a strategy to improve management of cancer-related cognitive impairment.

A Feasibility Study of Restorative Yoga Versus Vigorous Yoga Intervention for Sedentary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors.

Yoga has been shown to improve cancer survivors' quality of life, yet regular yoga practice is a challenge for those who are sedentary. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled study to assess feasibility and adherence of two types of yoga intervention among sedentary cancer survivors. Sedentary breast and ovarian cancer survivors were randomized to practice either restorative yoga (minimal physical exertion, Group R) or vigorous yoga (considerable physical exertion, Group V) in three 60-minute supervised sessions a week for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of home practice. Accrual, adherence, and attendance rates were assessed. Of the 226 eligible patients, 175 (77%) declined to participate in the study, citing time commitment and travel as the most common barriers. Forty-two subjects consented to participate in the study. Of the 35 participants who began the intervention (20 in Group R and 15 in Group V), adherence rate (percentage remaining in the study at week 12) was 100% and 87%, respectively. Rate of adequate attendance (more than 66% of the scheduled supervised sessions) was 85% and 73%, respectively. Rate of completion of the home practice period was 85% and 77%, respectively. In this study, sedentary cancer survivors were able to adhere to a long-term, regular yoga regimen. The rate of adequate attendance was higher for restorative yoga. Future studies for sedentary patients should focus on reducing time commitment and travel requirements to improve recruitment, and on using restorative yoga as a more feasible intervention for this population.

Barriers to physical activity: a study of academic and community cancer survivors with pain.

PURPOSE: Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity (PA) for patients with cancer, many cancer survivors report challenges to participating in PA. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess barriers to PA and (2) to examine participant characteristics associated with modifiable barriers to PA among cancer survivors with pain. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study at one academic medical center and 11 community hospitals. Participants completed the 12-item Physical Activity Barriers After Cancer (PABAC) instrument (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75). Multivariable regression models examined participant characteristics associated with PABAC scores with a higher score indicating more barriers to PA. RESULTS: Among 662 survivors, 67% had moderate or severe pain (rating 4 or greater on a scale of 0 to 10). Seventy-five percent of survivors did not meet the American Cancer Society PA recommendations on average, and these individuals had higher mean PABAC scores (beta coefficient (ß) = 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-3.09, p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, cancer survivors who were non-white (ß = 1.55, 0.28-2.82, p = 0.02), treated at a community hospital (ß = 1.07, 0.09-2.05, p = 0.03), had surgery (ß = 1.69, 0.69-2.69, p = 0.001), or within 12 months of diagnosis (ß = 1.15, 0.20-2.10, p = 0.02) reported greater barriers to PA. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cancer survivors with pain are not adequately participating in PA. Key demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with survivors' barriers. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Efforts to overcome specific barriers are needed to promote PA after a cancer diagnosis.