In 2011, a pilot study conducted by Karen M. Mustian and colleagues, the potential efficacy of Polarity Therapy (PT) in mitigating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy has been investigated. CRF stands as a prevalent and distressing side effect of cancer treatment, prompting exploration into alternative therapies such as PT, an energy-based modality.

The study, comprising 45 women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, employed a randomized controlled design to compare the effects of PT with those of an active control (massage) and a passive control (standard care). Patients were allocated to one of these three treatment conditions on a weekly basis over three weeks. Throughout the study period, assessments of CRF and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were conducted.

The results revealed a notable reduction in CRF ratings following PT sessions. Effect size analyses indicated small-to-large effects favoring PT over both modified massage and standard care, particularly evident in secondary measures of CRF derived from daily diaries. Moreover, a moderate effect size was observed in favor of PT for maintaining HRQL compared to standard care, with minimal disparity between PT and modified massage conditions. Importantly, patient feedback highlighted the perceived usefulness of both modified massage and PT treatments among radiation therapy recipients.

This pilot randomized clinical trial lends support to previous findings suggesting the potential efficacy of PT, a noninvasive and gentle energy therapy, in managing CRF. The study underscores the need for further confirmatory investigations and exploration of the underlying mechanisms of PT to elucidate its therapeutic benefits comprehensively.

Reference: Mustian, K. M., Roscoe, J. A., Palesh, O. G., Sprod, L. K., Heckler, C. E., Peppone, L. J., & Morrow, G. R. (2011). Polarity therapy for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy: a randomized controlled pilot study. Integrative cancer therapies, 10(1), 27-37.