The MATCH Study: Mindfulness And Tai Chi for Cancer Health
MATCH
1 other identifier
interventional
600
1 country
2
Brief Summary
Background: As more people survive cancer, the importance of research on effective interventions for improving quality of life (QOL) amongst survivors is growing. Two interventions with a substantial evidence-base are Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and Tai chi/Qigong (TCQ). However, these interventions have never been directly compared. Objectives: (1) To compare MBCR and TCQ to each other and a waitlist control condition using an innovative, randomized, preference-based comparative effectiveness trial (CET) design that takes into account potential moderating factors that might predict differential response. (2) To investigate the impacts of MBCR and TCQ on a range of biological outcomes including immune processes, blood pressure, heart rate variability, stress hormones, cellular aging, and gene expression. Methods: The study design is a preference-based multi-site randomized CET incorporating two Canadian sites (Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON). Participants (N total = 600). Participants with a preference for either MBCR or TCQ will get their preferred intervention; while those without a preference will be randomized into either of the two interventions. Within the preference and non-preference groups, participants will also be randomized into immediate intervention groups or a wait-list control. Outcome measures to be assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 6-month follow up include psychological outcomes (mood, stress, mindfulness, spirituality, post-traumatic growth), QOL, symptoms (fatigue, sleep), physical function (strength, endurance), and exploratory analyses of biomarkers (cortisol slopes, cytokines, blood pressure/heart rate variability, telomere length, gene expression), and health economic measures. Hypotheses: The investigators theorize that both MBCR and TCQ will improve outcomes amongst survivors relative to treatment as usual, particularly if patients have a strong preference for a particular intervention. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that MBCR may be superior to TCQ on measures related to stress and mood. Conversely, TCQ may be superior to MBCR in improvement of physical and functional measures.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable cancer
Started Aug 2016
Longer than P75 for not_applicable cancer
2 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 31, 2016
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 15, 2016
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 29, 2016
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 31, 2020
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 31, 2023
CompletedMarch 23, 2023
March 1, 2023
4.3 years
May 31, 2016
March 21, 2023
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Profile of Mood States - Total Mood Disturbance (POMS-TMD)
The POMS-TMD is the overall score of mental disturbance. Linear mixed modelling will be used to assess change over time.
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
Secondary Outcomes (19)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
Brief Pain Inventory
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Fatigue (FACT-F)
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
POMS - Subscale scores (6)
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
Symptoms of Stress Inventory (C-SOSI-32)
pre-intervention, within 3 weeks of completion of the intervention, 6-month follow up from intervention completion
- +14 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (8)
Preference: MBCR (im)
EXPERIMENTALIndividuals with a preference for 'Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)' randomized to immediate treatment
Preference: TCQ (im)
EXPERIMENTALIndividuals with a preference for 'Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for Cancer Patients' randomized to immediate treatment
Preference: MBCR (wl)
ACTIVE COMPARATORIndividuals with a preference for 'Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)' randomized to waitlist
Preference: TCQ (wl)
ACTIVE COMPARATORIndividuals with a preference for 'Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for Cancer Patients' randomized to waitlist
No Preference: MBCR (im)
EXPERIMENTALIndividuals with no preference randomized to 'Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)' - immediate
No Preference: TCQ (im)
EXPERIMENTALIndividuals with no preference randomized to 'Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for Cancer Patients' - immediate
No Preference: MBCR (wl)
ACTIVE COMPARATORIndividuals with no preference randomized to 'Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)' - waitlist
No Preference: TCQ (wl)
ACTIVE COMPARATORIndividuals with no preference randomized to 'Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for Cancer Patients' - waitlist
Interventions
Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) is a standardized group program which focuses primarily on the challenges faced by people living with cancer. It is an 8-week program consisting of weekly group meetings of 1.5 to 2 hours. Home practice of 45 minutes per day (15 min yoga; 30 min meditation) is prescribed. As the weeks progress, different forms of meditation are introduced, beginning with a body scan sensory awareness experience, progressing to sitting and walking meditations. Gentle Hatha yoga is incorporated throughout, as a form of moving meditation. Didactic instruction as well as group discussion and reflection, problem solving and skillful inquiry are commonly applied teaching tools.
TCQ involves a series of slow specific movements or "forms" done in a meditative fashion. It is purported that focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. The practice itself has been separated from its martial arts roots and is widely taught as a health behavior practice and exercise. Qigong exercises generally have three components: a posture (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus on guiding qi through the body. Our program, developed specifically for a cancer patient population, incorporates simple Tai Chi elements within a healing framework stemming from Qigong principles.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Men and women over the age of 18
- Diagnosed with any type of cancer (stage I-III) excluding head, neck, or brain
- Experiencing significant distress (4 or greater on the Distress Thermometer)
- Able to attend MBCR or TCQ classes at scheduled times
- Sufficient functional capacity to participate in intervention groups (as judged by PAR-Q questionnaire, study staff, participant and participant's physician)
- Ability to speak and write English sufficiently to complete questionnaires and participate in groups.
You may not qualify if:
- Metastatic patients and those with ongoing chemotherapy (because ongoing therapy may impair biomarker profiles, and metastatic patients may not be stable enough to participate in the interventions and follow-up assessments).
- Cognitive impairment that would interfere with completing questionnaires or the intervention.
- Suffering from current Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder or other psychiatric disorder that would interfere with the ability to participate.
- Currently engages in meditation or tai chi one or more times per week
- Previous participation in MBCR program.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Linda E. Carlsonlead
- University of Calgarycollaborator
- Alberta Health servicescollaborator
- Tom Baker Cancer Centrecollaborator
- Princess Margaret Hospital, Canadacollaborator
Study Sites (2)
Psychosocial Oncology, Cancer Control Alberta
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3C1, Canada
ELLICSR Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Related Publications (1)
Carlson LE, Jones JM, Oberoi D, Piedalue KA, Wayne PM, Santa Mina D, Lawal OA, Speca M. Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Cancer Health (MATCH) Study: Primary Outcomes of a Preference-Based Multisite Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Jul 20;43(21):2372-2386. doi: 10.1200/JCO-24-02540. Epub 2025 Jun 12.
PMID: 40505072DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Linda E Carlson, PhD
University of Calgary, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- SUPPORTIVE CARE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor, Department of Oncology
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 31, 2016
First Posted
June 15, 2016
Study Start
August 29, 2016
Primary Completion
December 31, 2020
Study Completion
December 31, 2023
Last Updated
March 23, 2023
Record last verified: 2023-03
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share