9 Participants Needed

Exercise Rehabilitation for Cancer

AS
LC
Overseen ByLynda C Robey
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Exercise Rehabilitation for Cancer?

Research shows that exercise can help cancer patients improve physical fitness, reduce fatigue, and enhance quality of life. Exercise therapy is beneficial for cancer survivors, helping them cope with treatment side effects and potentially extending survival.12345

Is exercise rehabilitation safe for cancer patients?

Exercise rehabilitation is generally safe for cancer patients, with studies showing low rates of serious adverse events. Most reported issues are minor, like muscle soreness, and safety measures such as regular breaks and medical consultations help ensure safety during exercise programs.678910

How is the treatment Exercise Rehabilitation unique for cancer patients?

Exercise Rehabilitation is unique for cancer patients because it focuses on improving physical fitness and reducing fatigue through physical activity, which is essential for long-term health and recovery. Unlike traditional treatments that may focus on medication or surgery, this approach emphasizes sustained physical activity to help patients cope with and recover from cancer and its treatments.24111213

What is the purpose of this trial?

Exercise rehabilitation has the potential as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce persistent neuropathic pain in Veterans with lung cancer. By examining the effects of exercise training in Veteran cancer survivors with NSCLC, there is the potential to revolutionize care for a: common, debilitating, and inadequately treated symptom in a growing population. This could lead to a larger investigation to fill critical gaps in the literature and at the same time help discover a new model of care for Veterans with chronic pain. The ultimate goal is to reduce this type of pain for the growing population of cancer survivors while simultaneously reducing the need for problematic opioid management.

Research Team

AS

Alice S. Ryan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Veteran cancer survivors aged 60-80 with a history of lung cancer treatment, either surgery or chemotherapy. They must be able to walk on a treadmill, have moderate functional ability (Karnofsky >70), and experience neuropathic pain (Pain Scale score >1). Those with stage IV cancer, life expectancy under 6 months, or conditions preventing exercise can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am able to care for myself and perform normal activities with minimal assistance.
I have had surgery on my chest or chemotherapy that affects the nerves.
I am between 60 and 80 years old.
See 4 more

Exclusion Criteria

My cancer has spread to other parts of my body.
I do not have any health issues that prevent me from exercising.
Life expectancy < 6 months

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Control

Participants maintain their current activity level for 6 weeks

6 weeks
Measured at baseline and after 6 weeks

Exercise Rehabilitation

Participants will exercise 2x/week at training facilities and at home one day a week

6 weeks
Measured at baseline and after 6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in fitness, strength, physical function, fatigue, and quality of life

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Exercise Rehabilitation
Trial Overview The study is testing if exercise rehabilitation can help reduce chronic neuropathic pain in Veterans who survived lung cancer compared to those who don't receive this intervention. It aims to find an alternative to opioid treatments by improving care through physical activity.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: ControlExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants maintain their current activity level.
Group II: Exercise RehabilitationActive Control1 Intervention
Participants will exercise 2x/week at training facilities and at home one day a week.

Exercise Rehabilitation is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Exercise Rehabilitation for:
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
  • Claudication
  • Vascular Health Improvement

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,691
Recruited
3,759,000+

Baltimore VA Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials
33
Recruited
3,000+

Findings from Research

Regular physical exercise is associated with a reduced risk of developing colorectal and breast cancer, and may also lower the risk for prostate, endometrial, and lung cancers, based on a review of recent literature.
Exercise is beneficial for cancer survivors, aiding in recovery from treatment and potentially extending survival, although specific guidelines on the optimal amount, type, and intensity of exercise are still being developed.
Exercise in cancer.Rajarajeswaran, P., Vishnupriya, R.[2021]
Physical activity and targeted exercise therapy can significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients, helping to manage side effects like fatigue and depression, especially when introduced right after diagnosis.
Moderate endurance training combined with individualized strength training is particularly effective and can be recommended for all cancer patients, regardless of cancer type, while ensuring contraindications are considered.
[Physical activity and exercise therapy in oncology].Zoth, N., Böhlke, L., Theurich, S., et al.[2023]
A 6-week supervised exercise program for 61 cancer patients improved their physical activity levels compared to baseline, but there was a significant drop in activity levels during the follow-up period, indicating the need for ongoing support.
The study found that patients who maintained higher levels of physical activity three months after the program were those who had been more active before their illness and experienced less psychological distress, suggesting that pre-illness activity and mental health are important for sustaining exercise adherence.
The impact of supervised exercise intervention on short-term postprogram leisure time physical activity level in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: 1- and 3-month follow-up on the body & cancer project.Midtgaard, J., Tveterås, A., Rørth, M., et al.[2019]

References

[Oncological rehabilitation: evaluation of the efficiency of inpatient rehabilitation]. [2019]
Exercise in cancer. [2021]
[Physical activity and exercise therapy in oncology]. [2023]
The impact of supervised exercise intervention on short-term postprogram leisure time physical activity level in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: 1- and 3-month follow-up on the body & cancer project. [2019]
Physical Therapist-Led Exercise Assessment and Counseling in Integrative Cancer Care: Effects on Patient Self-reported Symptoms and Quality of Life. [2023]
Safety of weightlifting among women with or at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema: musculoskeletal injuries and health care use in a weightlifting rehabilitation trial. [2021]
A Focused Review of Safety Considerations in Cancer Rehabilitation. [2023]
Exercise Training for Cancer Survivors. [2021]
Adverse Events During Supervised Exercise Interventions in Pediatric Oncology-A Nationwide Survey. [2021]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Efficacy of Exercise Therapy on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]
Exercise and cancer rehabilitation: a systematic review. [2022]
Promoting physical activity among cancer survivors: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. [2023]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Exercise as rehabilitation for cancer patients. [2022]
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