Aroma lymphatic massage (Aroma lymphatic tressage) for symptom relief in breast cancer patients with taxane acute pain syndrome: A randomized controlled crossover trial

Introduction Taxane acute pain syndrome (TAPS) is a common complication of taxane; however, no standard of care has been established yet. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aroma lymphatic tressage (ALT) on TAPS. Methods We conducted a phase II randomized crossover trial on breast cancer patients who were to receive taxane-based chemotherapy. The participants were randomly assigned to receive standard care only (group A) or ALT in addition to standard care for pain (group B) in the first cycle. The patients in each group were then crossed over in the next cycle. ALT was applied on 4 consecutive days from the day after taxane administration. There were 2 weeks of wash-out period between cycles. Daily pain scores and analgesic dose requirements were self-reported by the participants. Results 65 patients were analysed: 32 and 33 patients in groups A and B, respectively. Average age was significantly lower in group B. The mean pain score of cycle 1 was higher in group B, which received ALT, but the analgesic dose requirement was lower in group B (12.69 vs. 8.09, effect size 0.21). The pain score in the chemotherapy cycle with ALT was lower than that in the standard care only period (1.92 vs. 1.73, effect size -0.09). There was no severe toxicity regarding additive ALT. Conclusion There were no significant difference in pain score between additive ALT and standard-of-care. Short-course ALT added to standard care may help reduce the analgesic dose requirement in breast cancer patients with TAPS. Trial Registration KCT0005758.