Adapted Argentinian tango -danster therapy helps some breast cancer survivors to regain the natural balance and sensation after experiencing neuropathy, a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Expansion of a new clinical examination will further look at how this musical exercise intervention can “re-wip” the brain to improve the function after chemotherapy-related nerve changes.
Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD student A scientist at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCCC-James) and the Ohio State University, that is the study of medicine of medicine, the study,, the study,, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine. Study leads, which leads the study, which leads the study, which helps the body “relarn” to feel sensation and assume nerve damage. This approach combines the pleasure of adapted Argentinian tango with scientific techniques to help survivors to regain their balance, run and foot/hand sensation.
Neuropathy influences the nerves in the hands and feet, causing numbness, burning and loss of feeling. This condition increases the risk of falling, which means that daily activities are a challenge for a maximum of 80% of cancer survivors treated with taxan -based chemotherapies. Worthen-Chaudhari notes that, although this new dance therapy is life-saving for many, it also improves the quality of life by alleviating nerve neuropathy.
“In essence, this work is about helping survivors to reclaim and thrive their lives, instead of just surviving. It is about offering them a fun and effective way to improve their sensory motor skills and the fear of falling, ultimately improving their overall well-being,” said Worthen-Cheudhari.
Importance of ‘dual-task’ functioning
In 2024, Worthen-Chaudhari and colleagues reported study pilot data that show that, under survivors of breast cancer with neuropathy, small doses of social dance improved dual-task function compared to larger doses of home exercises, possibly due to differences in cognitive involvement.
Through an extensive five-year study, Worthen-Chaudhari and her colleagues expect to recruit 140 survivors of breast cancer who are being treated on Osuccc-James and Yale University. The study will focus on measuring double task performance, which at the same time is the possibility to move and think. This is important for daily activities such as walking and interaction with loved ones. The research is intended to see whether the benefits of tangotherapy can be sustained over time and whether the therapy can improve both movement and cognitive functions.
“This Brain-Body Connection Improves Coordination and Reducces the Risk of Falls. Our pilot Study Data Showed That As Little AS 20 minutes of social dance a week Could start to rewire the neuropathways that have bone threberd by,” HOUTHING TRATMATMENT, ” Could Have Benefits for People with Other Conditions That Impact Balance or Feeling in The Feet, Including Diabetes, Dementia, Neurodegenerative Diseases and General Aging.
Why adapted Argentinian tango?
Exercise is a way to increase blood flow to damaged nerve tissue, but long -term commitment to the intervention is a challenge.
The rhythm of Argentinian Tango, which is around 120 strokes per minute, helps to activate a neural phenomenon that drags (coordination of rhythms) where two or more oscillating systems (such as brain waves or behavior) tune. This is where the concept of dual-task functioning comes into play. The music collapses that nerve shoot in the brain for exercise. Pilot data show that this repetitive, slow music and walk dance helps to make the nerves damaged by chemotherapy. The willingness to consistently participate in therapy is an obstacle, so the work “fun” and making social was an important engine for compliance in their pilot study, Worthen-Chaudhari noted.
“It is really exciting to see that this kind of therapy not only helps survivors to feel better, but it also improves their overall function and quality of life,” she said.
More information
The research team is recruiting breast cancer survivors who have neuropathy as a result of chemotherapy. If you are interested in participating in this study, call 1-800-293-5066 or visit Cancer.osu.edu.