Exercise for Lung Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Cognitive deficits, Exercise contraindications, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 30

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how exercise can benefit people with lung or esophageal cancer who are receiving radiation treatment, along with their family caregivers. Participants engage in up to 15 exercise sessions over five to six weeks, focusing on resistance, aerobic, and flexibility training. The goal is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this Dyadic Exercise Program. Suitable candidates include those diagnosed with non-small cell lung or esophageal cancer, who are undergoing specific radiation treatment, and have a family caregiver willing to participate in the exercise sessions. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to enhance understanding of the benefits of exercise for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this exercise protocol is safe for lung cancer patients and their caregivers?

Research has shown that exercise programs for people with lung cancer are safe and effective. In one study, both patients with lung cancer and their caregivers found these programs acceptable, with no major safety issues reported. Another study found that exercise can help reduce the fatigue many cancer survivors experience. This indicates that exercise is not only safe but also enhances patient well-being. Overall, current evidence suggests that exercise programs are well-received and improve quality of life. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Dyadic Exercise Program for lung cancer patients because it focuses on enhancing patients' physical fitness during radiation treatment, which is not a typical part of standard care. Unlike traditional treatments that mainly focus on chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, this program combines resistance, aerobic, and flexibility exercises to improve patients' overall strength and well-being. This approach could potentially help patients better tolerate their radiation therapy, reduce side effects, and improve their quality of life.

What evidence suggests that this exercise protocol is effective for lung cancer?

Research has shown that exercise programs involving both patients and caregivers can enhance the quality of life and mental health of cancer patients. Studies indicate these programs help reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve physical abilities. In this trial, participants will engage in a Dyadic Exercise Program, which includes up to 15 exercise sessions during their 5-6 week radiation treatment period. For lung cancer patients, exercise has been linked to better treatment adherence and increased social support. These activities can also improve communication and reduce stress for both patients and caregivers. Overall, evidence suggests that exercising together could effectively support lung cancer patients during treatment. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for lung cancer patients receiving thoracic radiotherapy and their family caregivers. Specific eligibility criteria are not detailed, but typically participants must be medically stable to engage in exercise and willing to participate together.

Inclusion Criteria

I can take care of myself but might not be able to do heavy physical work.

Both patient and caregiver must be able to provide informed consent

Have a family caregiver willing and able to participate in the exercise program

Exclusion Criteria

Cognitive deficits noted in the medical records or cognitive deficits that would impede the completion of self-report instruments

Experiences contraindications to exercise as determined by the clinical team

Regularly participates in an exercise program in the year prior to diagnosis

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Radiation

Participants undergo thoracic radiation treatment

5-6 weeks

Up to 15 exercise sessions

Exercise Program

Participants and caregivers engage in a dyadic exercise program including resistance, aerobic, and flexibility training

5-6 weeks

Up to 15 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including quality of life assessments

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dyadic Exercise Program

Trial Overview The study is testing the practicality of an exercise program designed for both lung cancer patients undergoing chest radiation therapy and their family caregivers. It aims to assess how well participants accept and can carry out the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise Protocol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The protocol will be comprised of up to 15 exercise sessions over the course of participants' 5-6 weeks radiation treatment period with each session lasting up to 60 minutes. Exercise sessions are a combination of resistance, aerobic, and flexibility training using bodyweight and/or elastic bands for resistance.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9909825/

Effects of dyadic-based physical activity intervention on ... Systematic evaluation shows that dyadic intervention can improve the quality of life, mental state, stress, communication and cancer-related health status of ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03649737

Exercise Program Among Lung Cancer Dyads Preliminary outcomes include objective measures of physical function, depression, adherence to lung cancer treatments, Quality of Life (QOL), and social support ...

3. jto.org jto.org/article/S1556-0864(19)31920-3/fulltext

P1.16-11 A Dyad-Based Mindfulness Cancer Recovery ... In six iterations of the intervention,164 survivors were reached, and 32 dyads enrolled (62 participants; 20% recruitment and 94% retention rates). Survivors ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/367454019_Effects_of_dyadic-based_physical_activity_intervention_on_cancer-related_fatigue_among_cancer_survivors_A_scoping_review

(PDF) Effects of dyadic-based physical activity intervention ... Current studies have shown that physical activity improves cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors. And studies have suggested that dyadic ...

5. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-025-02769-8

The effectiveness of dyadic interventions for health outcomes ... The results of this review indicate that dyadic care interventions benefit prostate cancer patients and informal caregivers.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12234642/

A qualitative evidence synthesis of participant, caregiver ... Conclusion. This QES demonstrated that people with lung cancer, caregivers, and clinicians view exercise programs as acceptable and effective.

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15347354231212876?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.5

Study Protocol for the Breathe Easier Trial: A Pilot RCT of a ... A feasibility study with 10 dyads (1 dyad = 1 survivor of early-stage lung cancer + 1 SP ) provided “proof of concept” and showed aerobic ...

8. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cam4.70626

Recommendations for Interventions to Improve Function in ... Thus, the impact of long-term exercise programs on social function outcomes for lung cancer is currently unclear. 3.5.2.3 Yoga (Grade C).