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

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

Effect of Dance Movement Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Pre-post Intervention Study

“…Besides, different forms of dance are under consideration for therapeutic use for breast cancer patients with CRF [23,24]. Also, apart from group therapy, DMT has been utilised as an individualised therapy in a few studies [7,25].…”

Efficacy of Tango Argentino for Cancer-Associated Fatigue and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This clinical trial was an investigator-initiated trial approved by the responsible local ethics committee (Ethik-Kommission der Ärztekammer Berlin, on 2 April 2020 with the reference number Eth-05/20) and has been registered (trial registration number DRKS00021601). The study protocol was published [24]. All eligible participants provided written informed consent for their participation in the study before enrollment, and the trial was reported in compliance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) reporting guidelines.…”

“…The detailed methods of the TANGO trial have been reported and published in the study protocol [24]. Briefly, the TANGO trial was a single-center, 2-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Research Institute Havelhöhe gGmbH at the Hospital Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, Berlin, Germany.…”

Does the Argentine Tango Sustainably Improve Cancer-Associated Fatigue and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors?

“…Here, we conducted a real-world data (RWD) study by longitudinal evaluation of the tango trial [19] and the oncological patient registry data from Network Oncology (NO) [20]. The tango trial was an investigator initiated trial, and the study protocol and results were published [19,21]. The NO study and the tango trial were approved by the responsible local ethics committee (Ärztekammer Berlin) and registered (Trial registration numbers DRKS00013335 and DRKS00021601).…”

“…For a control cohort, NO breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer and reported increased fatigue symptoms (CFS-D total > 23) at the one-year follow-up were included. The participants of the tango trial were recruited between June 2020 and May 2022 according to the published study-protocol [21] and received the six-week tango program, as described in detail [19]. Demographic, behavioral, and medical information of the tango cohort were collected with clinical interviews, self-reported fatigue, and QoL questionnaires were surveyed prior to, after the intervention, and six, and twelve months thereafter.…”