gms | German Medical Science

Background: Most breast cancer patients suffer from persistent impairments after completion of their primary therapy. In particular cancer-related fatigue is a multidimensional syndrome having a profound negative impact on quality of life. To counter fatigue symptoms, exercise and physical activity are suggested as first-line interventions, in particular, mind-body therapies such as meditation and yoga have been shown to be effective, and music therapy can also reduce anxiety and stress in breast cancer patients [1]. Argentine tango, as a music-based movement therapy, can influence physical, psychological and cognitive skills [2]. The therapeutic use of tango in care of breast cancer patients has not yet been reported.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether a 6-week tango module is suited as a therapeutic approach for women after primary breast cancer therapy to favorably influence their quality of life, especially fatigue levels.

Methods: Sixty women with breast cancer (age >18; cancer stage I–III) 12–48 months after their first diagnosis will be randomized with a 1:1 allocation to tango intervention or a waiting list. The 60-min intervention sessions will take place weekly for six weeks. A therapist will present movement ideas using elements of Argentine Tango to the participants. In these exercises, which are oriented towards walking in music, self-perceptions and spatial perceptions will be combined. Before and after completion of the 6-week intervention, and six and twelve months later, the participants are asked to complete different questionnaires. The primary endpoint, improvement of fatigue will be measured with the CFS-D questionnaire [3], the secondary endpoints, insomnia with the PSQI [4] and quality of life with the EORTC-QLQ C30 [5] questionnaires. An evaluation will be performed by means of descriptive data analysis and long-term follow-up.

Outlook: It is expected that participants receiving the tango module will have improved fatigue and insomnia scores compared to the waitlist control. Furthermore, this project can further develop the significance of integrative therapy concepts in the treatment of cancer patients in follow-up care. First results will be discussed.