Exercise for Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors
(ICAN Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if a year-long exercise program can improve thinking and memory in breast cancer survivors. Participants will either follow a personalized exercise plan or a general health and wellness program, which serves as the control group. The trial seeks breast cancer survivors who completed treatment at least six months ago and have experienced memory or thinking issues since their diagnosis. Participants should also be less active than recommended and possess a Fitbit-compatible device with internet access. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to research that could enhance the quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you plan to stop taking tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor in the next 6 months.
What prior data suggests that this exercise intervention is safe for breast cancer survivors?
Past studies have shown that exercise is generally safe for breast cancer survivors. Research indicates that physical activity can enhance brain function without causing serious side effects. For instance, studies have found that aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, can improve memory and attention in women who have had breast cancer. Reports from these studies reveal that participants managed the exercise programs well, experiencing few, if any, negative effects.
Additionally, exercise is often recommended for improving overall health, including mental health. Healthcare providers frequently suggest it for people recovering from cancer. While some participants might experience minor issues like sore muscles or tiredness, these are usually temporary and manageable. Overall, the evidence suggests that exercise is a safe and effective way to support brain health in breast cancer survivors.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the exercise program for cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors because it offers a non-pharmaceutical approach to improve brain health. Unlike medications typically used for cognitive issues, this program is personalized and delivered through phone and email, making it highly accessible and adaptable to individual needs. Additionally, the focus on exercise as a treatment harnesses the body's natural ability to enhance cognitive function, potentially reducing side effects associated with drugs. This innovative approach could provide a sustainable, holistic option for those seeking to improve their cognitive health post-treatment.
What evidence suggests that exercise might be an effective treatment for cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors?
Research has shown that exercise can improve brain function in breast cancer survivors. Several studies have found that staying active leads to better self-reported thinking skills, decision-making, and speed of processing information. In this trial, participants in the Exercise Intervention arm will receive a 12-month individually tailored phone and email-based exercise program. One study discovered that a 6-month exercise program improved brain function, reduced tiredness, and boosted mood. Another study suggested that physical activity might help prevent brain issues related to chemotherapy. Overall, exercise offers many brain benefits for breast cancer survivors.678910
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for breast cancer survivors who finished treatment at least 6 months ago but within the last 5 years, have low physical activity levels, own a Fitbit-compatible device with internet, and experience cognitive difficulties post-diagnosis. It's not for those with medical conditions that make unsupervised exercise unsafe or those unable to commit to a year-long study.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a 12-month individually tailored phone and email-based exercise program or a health and wellness program
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Control
- Exercise
Trial Overview
The study is examining if an exercise program can boost brain function in breast cancer survivors. Participants will either engage in this physical activity intervention or be part of a control group without the special exercise regimen.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
This arm will receive a 12-month individually tailored phone and email-based exercise program.
This arm will receive a 12-month health and wellness program.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Diego
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Effects of physical exercise on cognitive function of breast ...
Physical exercise can improve cognitive function for breast cancer survivors, particularly in self-reported cognitive function, and executive function.
Study : Physical activity may prevent chemotherapy-related ...
Physical activity has been linked with improved health outcomes in cancer survivors. Patients with different types of cancer who engage in ...
Relationship of physical activity and cognitive functioning ...
Greater physical activity was associated with faster processing speed in participants closer in time to their cancer diagnosis. These results ...
4.
breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com
breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13058-022-01530-2Effect of physical exercise on cognitive function after ...
A 6-month exercise intervention improved self-reported cognitive functioning, physical fitness, fatigue, QoL, and depression in chemotherapy-exposed breast ...
5.
journals.lww.com
journals.lww.com/ajpmr/fulltext/2024/09000/comparative_effects_of_exercise_interventions_and.3.aspxComparative Effects of Exercise Interventions and...
Mindfulness-based interventions significantly improve cognitive function in breast cancer survivors (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.63). The meta-analysis showed ...
A randomized trial of physical activity for cognitive functioning ...
The I Can! study will examine whether a physical activity intervention improves cognition among 250 post-treatment breast cancer survivors.
Acute aerobic exercise effects on cognitive function in breast ...
Many breast cancer survivors (BCS) report deficits in cognitive function. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better processing ...
Aerobic Exercise Intervention for the Improvement of ...
This study aims to understand the effects of physical activity compared with health education on memory, attention, and brain health in women with breast cancer ...
The Exercise Cancer and Cognition (ECCO) study.
The ECCO study aimed to assess the neuropsychological and brain morphological effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in breast cancer patients.
10.
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.35540Aerobic exercise and CogniTIVe functioning in women with ...
Aerobic exercise is shown to improve cognitive function and attenuate cognitive decline in older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment ...
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