Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for cancer

Study hypothesis: To examine the feasibility of conducting a large Canadian trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (with specially tailored formulas) and Tai Chi on improving cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL).
Hypothesis:
Patients receiving Chinese herbal medicine or Tai Chi will have more energy, more appetite and more overall quality of life than patients exposed to placebo or light physical exercise.
Please note that as of 04/03/2009 the anticipated start and end dates in this record were amended. The previous dates are as follows:
Initial anticipated start date: 30/06/2008
Initial anticipated end date: 30/12/2008
Please also note that at this time, the disease was amended from non-small cell lung cancer to colorectal cancer.
Primary outcome:
The feasibility as assessed through several factors, such as co-interventions, percentage of participation and withdrawal/non-compliance, preparing decoction/placebo and keeping blinding, the possibility to stratify, reasons for not participating, male/female difference regarding compliance and participation.
Primary clinical outcome: Quality of life
Primary outcome measuring time point: baseline, monthly, three months post-intervention