This K01 proposal will provide Dr. Prinsloo with the resources, training, and protected time necessary to help her transition to an independent researcher in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM). Her primary research interest is in the utilization of neurofeedback as a treatment approach for symptom control and treatment and more generally neuroscientific methods to explore the efficacy and mechanisms of integrative medicine modalities. Training in three main areas are proposed: (1) complementary and integrative medicine; (2) clinical trial investigation; and (3) multimodal neuroimaging techniques. The applicant will complete formal coursework and other educational venues, meet regularly with mentors who are leaders in their respective fields, receive hands-on training, and publish research findings. Dr. Prinsloo's career goal is relevant to the scope of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), as this investigation aligns with two of NCCAM's funding priorities: (1) studies of the biological effects and mechanisms of action underlying CAM approaches, as well as studies characterizing the active elements of an intervention and (2) investigations of the impact of CAM modalities in alleviating chronic pain syndromes and improving health and wellness. The proposed project is a randomized, placebo controlled trial to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a common side effect of cancer treatment, with few treatment options, that diminishes a patient's quality of life (QOL). Neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to change itself, is the basis for the current reseach interest and is the foundation of neurofeedback training. Ninety breast cancer survivors who have been diagnosed with CIPN will be randomly assigned to real treatment, placebo or a waitlist control group. They will complete assessments including CIPN-symptoms, EEG, pain, cancer-related symptoms, quality of life, mental health, and functional performance at baseline, end of treatment, and 1 and 3 months post treatment. The project has four specific aims: (1) Examine the effects of a neurofeedback training program on perceptions of CIPN versus a placebo and waitlist control; (2) examine the cortical and subcortical regions of the pain matrix associated with CIPN and neurofeedback, including connectivity analysis; (3) examine the effects of a neurofeedback training program on other aspects of pain, cancer-related symptoms, QOL, mental health, and functional performance; (4) explore moderators/mediators of the intervention by examining the extent to which changes in EEG patterns mediate the effects of the intervention, the extent to which placebo brain regions mediate the effects of the intervention, and explore whether therapeutic alliance and expectations moderate the effect of neurofeedback.

Public Health Relevance

This project will demonstrate the effectiveness of an applied neuroscience technique (neurofeedback) to improve neuropathic pain symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer survivors, and yield significant information about the way the brain functions through a mind/body intervention. Separately, we will examine the electrophysiological mechanisms of the placebo response in an attempt to understand the role of placebo in the effectiveness of neurofeedback as well as in chronic pain conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AT008485-05
Application #
9511738
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1)
Program Officer
Chen, Wen G
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2018-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Hospitals
DUNS #
800772139
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Prinsloo, Sarah; Novy, Diane; Driver, Larry et al. (2017) Randomized controlled trial of neurofeedback on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A pilot study. Cancer 123:1989-1997
McQuade, Jennifer L; Prinsloo, Sarah; Chang, David Z et al. (2017) Qigong/tai chi for sleep and fatigue in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial. Psychooncology 26:1936-1943
Prinsloo, Sarah; Wei, Qi; Scott, Shellie M et al. (2015) Psychological states, serum markers and survival: associations and predictors of survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma. J Behav Med 38:48-56
Prinsloo, Sarah; Lyle, Randall R (2015) The Microbiome, Gut-Brain-Axis, and Implications for Brain Health. NeuroRegulation 2:158-161
Chaoul, Alejandro; Milbury, Kathrin; Sood, Anil K et al. (2014) Mind-body practices in cancer care. Curr Oncol Rep 16:417
Ratcliff, Chelsea G; Prinsloo, Sarah; Richardson, Michael et al. (2014) Music therapy for patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014:742941
Cohen, Lorenzo; Cole, Steven W; Sood, Anil K et al. (2012) Depressive symptoms and cortisol rhythmicity predict survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma: role of inflammatory signaling. PLoS One 7:e42324