Amylo-Shiatsu-Acute-Chronic: Effects of Shiatsu on Symptoms and Quality of Life of Amyloidosis Patients

IAmyloidosis leads to a wide range of disorders, including vascular, cardiac, neuropathic, digestive, renal, and others. These impairments significantly affect patients' quality of life, autonomy, and are often accompanied by stress and anxiety. Literature reviews indicate that complementary approaches have a positive impact on alleviating the symptoms of disabling chronic illnesses, with Shiatsu showing efficacy in several international studies. As part of an initiative to improve patient care and better address their chronic, persistent symptoms, we propose incorporating Shiatsu targeted specifically at amyloidosis symptoms as a complementary therapy. How can Shiatsu help patients with amyloidosis? What impact does it have on their quality of life and various symptoms?

Hypothesis/Objective:

This study aims to demonstrate the beneficial impact of three targeted Shiatsu sessions compared to "comfort" Shiatsu on symptoms in cardiac amyloidosis patients with severe symptoms. Additionally, it will assess the short-term effects of a targeted Shiatsu session on neuro-cardiovascular physiological parameters and symptoms in cardiac amyloidosis patients, comparing the effects of targeted Shiatsu, comfort Shiatsu, and no Shiatsu. The study will evaluate the impact of these interventions on symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain, anxiety, depression, dyspnea, digestive disorders, and nausea, as well as the overall quality of life. It will also assess patient satisfaction with Shiatsu and evaluate the therapy's tolerance.

Method:

This is a randomized, controlled, superiority, single-center, double-blind study comparing the effects of "targeted" Shiatsu sessions on amyloidosis symptoms with those of "comfort" (non-targeted) Shiatsu sessions.

Population:

The study will involve patients diagnosed with amyloidosis (TTR, WT, AL) who are hospitalized or followed at the Centre de Référence Amyloses-Cardiaques (Cardiogen branch) at the CHU Henri Mondor in Créteil, France. A total of 108 patients will participate: 78 in the Shiatsu group (26 AL, 26 TTR, 26 WT), 39 in the Comfort Shiatsu group, 39 in the Targeted Shiatsu group, and 30 in the No Shiatsu group. The expected inclusion rate per center per month is 4.5, with a study duration of 2 years.

Primary Endpoint:

Reduction in total ESAS symptom score 48 hours after the third Shiatsu session.

Secondary Endpoints:

A 20% improvement in heart rate variability measured with the e-patch. A 20% improvement in skin conductance and variability measured with the SUDOSCAN.

Overall score on the EQ-5D scale. Overall score on the MINNESOTA scale. A 2-point improvement in the symptom-specific questionnaire corresponding to the symptom targeted by Shiatsu (e.g., dyspnea, digestive disorders, pain).

Improvement in at least one global score on the BFI, HADS, or LSEQ scales.

Inclusion Visit (D0):

Patients will be offered participation during their routine care consultation. Once consent is obtained, the patient will complete several questionnaires (MINNESOTA, EESE-R, EQ-5D, QCD, BFI, LSEQ, HADS). Measurements with the SUDOSCAN will be taken, and the e-patch will be applied for 48 hours. For Shiatsu participants, randomization will be conducted by an open-label CRA independent of the study, and the results will be sent to the Shiatsu specialists (targeted or comfort). The patient will then receive a Shiatsu session accordingly.

Research Follow-Up Visits:

Visit 1 (D1): A second SUDOSCAN measurement will be taken 24 hours post-Shiatsu session or inclusion for the no-Shiatsu group. Follow-up measurements will be taken at 24 and 48 hours.

Visit 2 (D2): A third SUDOSCAN measurement will be taken 48 hours post-Shiatsu or inclusion. Patients will complete the EESE-R and modified TAQ questionnaires.

Visit 3 (D7±1 day): The Shiatsu group will receive a second Shiatsu session and complete the modified TAQ questionnaire 48 hours later (D9±1 day).

Visit 4 (D14±1 day): The Shiatsu group will receive a third Shiatsu session and complete the modified TAQ questionnaire 48 hours after the session (D16±1 day).

Telephone Visits:

Contact 1 (D16±1 day): Telephone follow-up 48 hours after the third Shiatsu session, during which patients will complete various questionnaires (MINNESOTA, EESE-R, EQ-5D, QCD, BFI, LSEQ, HADS, modified TAQ).

Contact 2 (D31±1 day): A second telephone follow-up to complete the same set of questionnaires.

Conclusion:

The expected benefits for patients include an improvement in quality of life and symptoms (e.g., appetite, nausea, digestive disorders, sleep, fatigue, anxiety, depression, pain) as well as balancing of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is often weakened by disease progression and hospitalization.