Exercise for Breast Cancer

Overseen By Myriam Filion, PhD Student

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Disqualifiers: Cardiac disease, Uncontrolled hypertension, Cancer recurrence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 15

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a mobile app can help breast cancer survivors increase exercise after their main treatments, reduce fatigue, and improve physical abilities. One group will use the app for 12 weeks, while the other will follow standard exercise guidelines. Researchers aim to determine if the app can make exercise easier and more effective for recovery. Participants should have completed breast cancer treatments (except hormone therapy), own a smartphone, and wish to increase their exercise. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance recovery strategies for breast cancer survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the study focuses on exercise and not medication, it's likely you can continue your current treatments, especially hormone therapy, as long as you are medically cleared for exercise.

What prior data suggests that this mobile app is safe for breast cancer survivors?

Research has shown that exercise programs for breast cancer survivors are generally safe. Studies have found that using a mobile app to encourage exercise is well-received and does not cause serious side effects. For instance, one study on a similar app showed it helped increase physical activity without any harm. Another study confirmed that guided and planned exercise is safe for cancer survivors.

These findings suggest that using an exercise app is a safe way for breast cancer survivors to become more active. Participants in similar studies have not reported any major problems. Overall, the evidence supports the safety of using a mobile app to promote exercise among breast cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the exercise approach for breast cancer because it leverages a cancer-specific exercise app, providing a personalized and flexible exercise regimen that patients can integrate into their daily lives. Unlike traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, which directly target cancer cells, this method aims to improve overall well-being and potentially enhance recovery through physical activity. The app's unique feature is its ability to guide patients with tailored exercises, optionally incorporating resistance bands or dumbbells, alongside comprehensive support materials and videos. This digital intervention could make exercise more accessible and engaging, potentially leading to better adherence and improved outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this mobile app is effective for increasing exercise in breast cancer survivors?

Research has shown that mobile apps can help breast cancer survivors become more active. In this trial, participants in the cancer-specific exercise app arm will use a mobile app designed to increase physical activity. One study found that breast cancer patients who used a mobile app walked more than those who did not. Another study on a similar app suggested it could boost patients' confidence in managing their health. Additionally, a digital program for breast cancer survivors effectively improved their recovery. These findings suggest that using a mobile app might help breast cancer survivors exercise more, feel less tired, and improve their overall physical health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for breast cancer survivors who have completed their treatments. It's designed to see if a mobile app can help them exercise more, feel less tired, and improve their physical functions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants use the cancer-specific exercise app or receive exercise guidelines for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Baseline assessment, 12-week assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for exercise levels, fatigue, and quality of life after the intervention

3 months

3-month follow-up assessment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise

Trial Overview The study is testing a mobile app that encourages exercise over 12 weeks against standard cancer exercise guidelines. Participants are split into two groups: one uses the app and the other follows guidelines. Their exercise levels and quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cancer-specific exercise app Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized in this group will be asked to use the app for 12 weeks. Participants will be ask to preferably spread each exercise session over different days of the week. While exercise equipment is not required, the app includes options for using elastic resistance bands or dumbbells. Following baseline assessment and randomization, participants in the intervention group will receive a brief instructional video on how to download and use the app, along with access to a website offering support materials, guidelines, and additional instructional videos. All participants will complete questionnaires at baseline, 12 weeks (post-intervention), and 3 months follow-up.

Group II: Usual care Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will received the ACSM exercise guidelines.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11639799/

Digital Rehabilitation Program for Breast Cancer Survivors ... This study explored the effectiveness of the “THRIVE” mobile app-based rehabilitation program (Version 2.2.1) for breast cancer survivors.

2. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e63989

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mobile App for Breast ... The mobile app for breast cancer self-management, CAMA, was deemed feasible and showed promise in improving the patients' self-efficacy.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352013224000802

Effectiveness of a theory-based tailored mHealth physical ... After three months of intervention, compared to the control group, breast cancer patients in the intervention group showed significant improvements in walking, ...

4. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/CCI.24.00014

Mapping the Evidence on the Impact of mHealth ... All studies contained multiple interventions, including physical activity, tailored information for self-management of the disease, and symptom tracker.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6694/16/5/1020

App-Based Lifestyle Intervention (PINK! Coach) in Breast ... The results presented here are the first real-world data from the DiGA PINK! Coach examining the physical activity and BMI of app users. Based ...

6. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e75839

A Smartphone App (WExercise) to Promote Physical ... This RCT was designed to examine the effectiveness of the WExercise app on increasing PA (primary outcome), exercise capacity, cancer-specific ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254623000716

Effects of personalized exercise prescriptions and social ... This study aimed to examine the effects of a multi-component mobile health intervention (wearable, apps, and social media) on cancer survivors' (CS') physical ...

8. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834208

Exercise Communication for Breast Cancer Survivors Exercise communication was associated with favorable outcomes, including increased exercise participation and quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

9. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03143-y

Supervised, structured and individualized exercise in ... Two systematic reviews in patients with advanced cancer, including patients with MBC, concluded that exercise interventions are safe and ...