Massage after radiation: a new way to ease breast cancer pain?
NCT ID NCT07447700
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This pilot study is testing whether a brief, clothed upper body massage given after each radiation treatment can reduce muscle and joint pain, improve arm and shoulder mobility, and enhance quality of life for breast cancer patients. About 55 women receiving curative radiation will take part. The goal is to see if this simple, non-drug approach is both helpful and acceptable during a stressful treatment period.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- upper body massage
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce pain and improve daily function during radiation for breast cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 55 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The massage is brief and may not provide lasting relief.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 55 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18 years of age or older 2. Diagnosis of breast cancer 3. Treatment plan for curative intent radiation at SSBC 4. Radiation treatment frequency can be daily, every other day, and twice weekly 5. Agreeable to and available for focused chair massages post-radiation treatments during the prescribed treatment period Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with recurrent disease (breast cancer) 2. Patients treated palliatively with radiation treatments 3. Inability to read and/or understand English (consent and questionnaires in English) 4. Patients with documented cognitive disorder that limits the ability to independently read, understand, and/or complete the survey measures; i.e. dementia, Alzheimer's 5. Patients with major psychiatric disorders not controlled by medication or other psychiatric treatments
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Ohio State University
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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