Golf Exercise for Prostate Cancer Survivors

(GREENS Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Garry Cai

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Must be taking: Androgen deprivation therapy

Disqualifiers: Second cancer, Bone metastases, Cardiovascular, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 10 weeks

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does require participants to be on androgen deprivation therapy or an androgen receptor blocker for more than 6 months.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Golf Recreational Exercise for Enhanced Survivorship (GREENS) for prostate cancer survivors?

Research suggests that physical activities like golf can improve the quality of life, musculoskeletal function, and psychological well-being of prostate cancer survivors. Exercise has been shown to help manage treatment side effects and improve overall health, making golf a potentially beneficial activity for these individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is golf exercise safe for prostate cancer survivors?

Golf exercise programs for prostate cancer survivors are generally considered safe when participants undergo a fitness evaluation and are supervised by certified professionals. These programs can improve physical and psychological well-being, but it's important to consult with healthcare providers before starting. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is the Golf Recreational Exercise treatment unique for prostate cancer survivors?

The Golf Recreational Exercise treatment is unique because it combines physical activity with social interaction in a community setting, specifically designed for prostate cancer survivors. This program focuses on improving musculoskeletal function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and psychological well-being through moderate-intensity golf activities, which is different from traditional exercise programs or medical treatments. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This clinical trial evaluates a golf recreational exercise program for enhancing survivorship in underrepresented prostate cancer survivors. Golf is a multimodal recreational activity that requires participants to utilize all muscle groups to perform the golf swing, walk over hilly and uneven terrain, maintain balance during putting and squat-like tasks. Physical activity and exercise are beneficial to physical function, cognitive function, psychosocial health, and overall quality of life during prostate cancer survivorship. These aspects of health are impacted by prostate cancer treatment, especially androgen deprivation therapy. Additionally, supervised, group-based activity programs facilitate participation in physical activity. Researchers want to examine the changes in functional abilities, psychosocial health, and quality of life following participation in in a golf program designed for prostate cancer survivors.

Research Team

George Salem, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Southern California

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for underrepresented prostate cancer survivors who can participate in physical activities. It's designed to help improve their quality of life, functional abilities, and psychosocial health after treatment. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

No or minimal golf experience (played < 5 times in the past 10 years)

I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer for the first time.

English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

My asthma or COPD is not under control.

I have a movement disorder or partial paralysis.

I have not had any injuries or orthopedic surgeries in the last 6 months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 10-week golf training program with PGA professionals, including warm-up exercises, pelvic floor muscle training, golf instruction, practice, and play on a Par 3 course. Participants also wear an activity tracker and undergo blood sample collection.

10 weeks

2 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments of physical capacity, psychosocial wellness, health, and cognition.

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Golf Recreational Exercise

Trial Overview The study tests a golf recreational exercise program tailored for prostate cancer survivors. It involves various activities like walking on uneven terrain, balance tasks, and using all muscle groups during the golf swing to see if it benefits survivorship.

Participant Groups

Group I: Supportive care (golf program) Experimental Treatment 9 Interventions

Patients participate in the golf training program composed of group sessions over 1-2 hours with a PGA professional two times per week for ten weeks. Training consists of complimentary/warm up exercises integrated with pelvic floor muscle training, golf instruction, golf practice, and golf play on a Par 3 public golf course. Patients also wear an activity tracker and undergo blood sample collection on the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

A four-session individualized and supervised exercise program significantly improved various health metrics in 51 prostate cancer survivors, including muscle strength (17.6% increase) and exercise capacity (9.3% increase), indicating that even short-duration programs can be beneficial.

Participants also experienced improvements in physical function and positive well-being, suggesting that this exercise regimen is both safe and feasible for prostate cancer survivors, warranting further investigation through randomized controlled trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a brief exercise program on the physical and psychosocial health of prostate cancer survivors: A pilot study. Skinner, TL., Peeters, GG., Croci, I., et al.[2018]

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of community-based football as a physical activity intervention for 200 prostate cancer patients over six months, focusing on improving quality of life and physical health outcomes.

The trial will assess safety by monitoring falls and fractures, ensuring that the football program is not only beneficial but also safe for participants undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of community-based football compared to usual care in men with prostate cancer: Protocol for a randomised, controlled, parallel group, multicenter superiority trial (The FC Prostate Community Trial). Bjerre, E., Bruun, DM., Tolver, A., et al.[2018]

Golf can be an effective way for fully vaccinated prostate cancer survivors to enhance their physical and psychological well-being, as it improves musculoskeletal function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and overall quality of life.

Before participating in a community golf program, prostate cancer survivors should undergo a fitness evaluation by a certified exercise physiologist to ensure safety and appropriate grouping based on fitness levels, with recommended activities including moderate-intensity golf sessions twice a week.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

From uro-oncologists' perspectives: golf as a means of improving wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors. Okechukwu, CE., Agag, A., Naushad, N., et al.[2022]

In a survey of 137 prostate cancer survivors, those who were physically active reported significantly higher quality of life scores and lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels compared to those who were less active.

The results suggest that physical activity may help manage the side effects of prostate cancer treatments and improve social participation, highlighting the need for further research on the types of physical activities that best enhance quality of life for these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Quality of Life Between Physically Active and Underactive Older Men With Prostate Cancer. Boisen, S., Krägeloh, C., Shepherd, D., et al.[2018]

A 12-week exercise program significantly improved the quality of life for 80 prostate cancer survivors, enhancing physical, emotional, social, and sexual functions while reducing treatment-related symptoms like fatigue and insomnia.

The study suggests that community-based exercise programs can effectively help prostate cancer survivors manage their symptoms and improve overall well-being, highlighting the importance of nurse-led initiatives to encourage participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of the exercise programme on the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Mardani, A., Pedram Razi, S., Mazaheri, R., et al.[2021]

A study involving 423 prostate cancer survivors found that a self-administered implementation intention intervention significantly increased physical activity by 168 minutes per week after one month, compared to 86 minutes in the standard recommendation group.

While the self-administered approach was effective in the short term, the study suggests that combining it with additional strategies and more frequent interventions could enhance long-term exercise adherence and quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial of a behavior change intervention to increase physical activity and quality of life in prostate cancer survivors. McGowan, EL., North, S., Courneya, KS.[2018]

Participation in dragon boating provided significant psychosocial benefits for prostate cancer survivors, helping them establish social support systems and positively reframe their cancer experiences.

While physical benefits were noted, the study emphasizes that the social and emotional support gained from dragon boating may be a crucial aspect of recovery and wellbeing for these men.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"One stroke, with twenty-two people": exploring prostate cancer survivors' participation in dragon boating. Cinà, IV., Di Sebastiano, KM., Faulkner, GE.[2021]

References

1. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a brief exercise program on the physical and psychosocial health of prostate cancer survivors: A pilot study. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of community-based football compared to usual care in men with prostate cancer: Protocol for a randomised, controlled, parallel group, multicenter superiority trial (The FC Prostate Community Trial). [2018]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

From uro-oncologists' perspectives: golf as a means of improving wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Quality of Life Between Physically Active and Underactive Older Men With Prostate Cancer. [2018]

5. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of the exercise programme on the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial of a behavior change intervention to increase physical activity and quality of life in prostate cancer survivors. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"One stroke, with twenty-two people": exploring prostate cancer survivors' participation in dragon boating. [2021]