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. 2021 Dec 2;22(1):866.
doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05869-3.

TANGO: effect of tango Argentino on cancer-associated fatigue in breast cancer patients-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Shiao Li Oei  1 , Thomas Rieser  2 , Sarah Becker  3 , Jessica Groß  3 , Harald Matthes  1   2   4 , Friedemann Schad  1   5 , Anja Thronicke  6   7   8
Affiliations

TANGO: effect of tango Argentino on cancer-associated fatigue in breast cancer patients-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Shiao Li Oei et al. Trials. .

Abstract

Background: The majority of breast cancer patients suffer from persistent impairments after completion of their primary oncological therapy. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in particular is a multidimensional syndrome having a profound negative impact on the quality of life. To counter CRF symptoms, physical activities are suggested as first-line interventions, mind-body therapies have been shown to be effective, and music therapy can also reduce anxiety and stress in breast cancer patients. Tango therapy that combines various elements can have an impact on physical, psychological, and cognitive abilities and could therefore have a beneficial effect on breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a 6-week tango module is suited as a therapeutic approach for people after primary breast cancer therapy to favorably influence their quality of life, especially CRF levels.

Methods: Sixty patients with a diagnosis for stage I-III breast cancer 12-48 months before enrollment and with CRF (age > 18) will be recruited and randomized 1:1 to a tango or a waiting-list group. Movement concepts using elements of Argentine tango (self-awareness, musical and spatial perception, self-perception, playfulness, shared experience) will be examined with the participants during six consecutive weekly 1-h tango sessions. The primary outcome will be the improvement of CRF (German version of the Cancer Fatigue Scale), and the secondary outcomes will be the improvement in sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30). Patient-reported outcomes will be measured at baseline and 6 weeks later; follow-up will be performed 6, 12, and 24 months after baseline. An evaluation will be performed by means of descriptive data analyses.

Discussion: Argentine tango, as a music-based movement therapy, can influence different skills and may improve several outcomes. The therapeutic use of Argentine tango in the care of breast cancer patients has not yet been reported. It is anticipated that participants receiving the tango module will have improved CRF, sleep, and quality of life scores compared to a waitlist control.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS) DRKS00021601 . Retrospectively registered on 21 August 2020.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Dance; Fatigue; Health-related quality of life; Insomnia.

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Conflict of interest statement

JG reports grants from Roche (honoraria for speaking). HM is a member of the board of directors of Weleda AG, a member of the Network Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF e.V.) guideline committee for integrative oncology (Guideline for Complementary Medicine in the Treatment of Oncological Patients), and has an endowed professorship at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, which is financed by the Software AG Foundation, outside the submitted work. FS reports grants from Helixor Heilmittel GmbH (travel costs and honoraria for speaking), grants from AstraZeneca (travel costs and honoraria for speaking), grants from Abnoba GmbH, and grants from Iscador AG, outside the submitted work. The other authors declared that they have no competing interests. No payment was received for any other aspects of the submitted work. There are no patents, products in the development, or marketed products to declare. There are no other relationships/conditions/circumstances that present a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the study participants according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT 2010), illustrating the participant’s timeline
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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