Exercise for Caregiver Burnout

(C4C+ Trial)

Overseen By Melanie Keats, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Melanie Keats

Disqualifiers: Exceeding activity guidelines, Health conditions, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 12 weeks

70 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how exercise can help reduce burnout in caregivers working with cancer patients. Participants choose between two types of exercise: supervised circuit-based resistance training (a form of strength training) or self-paced nature walking. The study aims to determine if these activities are practical and beneficial for managing stress and workload. This trial suits cancer care providers in Halifax who do not already engage in more than 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and can handle low-to-moderate physical activity. As an unphased trial, it offers caregivers a unique opportunity to explore new ways to manage stress and improve well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that these exercise interventions are safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that exercise programs, such as circuit-based resistance training, are generally safe and can help reduce the stress of caregiving. Studies have found that these programs can improve caregivers' quality of life without causing major side effects.

Previous participants demonstrated that home exercises can boost physical fitness and are easy to follow. Most people continue with the program, indicating it isn't too physically demanding.

Similarly, walking in nature often improves mental health and physical well-being. It is usually safe and is associated with lower stress levels.

Overall, both circuit-based resistance training and nature-based walking are safe options for managing caregiver burnout. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments for caregiver burnout because they explore innovative ways to incorporate physical activity into daily life, potentially offering both mental and physical benefits. Circuit-based resistance training provides a structured and supervised way to build strength, which is different from typical self-help methods like counseling or medication. The combination of resistance training with home-based walking introduces flexibility, allowing participants to experience the benefits of nature while staying active. This dual approach could offer a more holistic way to address burnout by not only improving physical health but also enhancing mental well-being through exposure to natural environments.

What evidence suggests that this trial's exercise interventions could be effective for reducing caregiver burnout?

Research shows that exercise can help reduce the stress and burnout often experienced by caregivers. Studies have found that physical exercise greatly improves both the mental and physical health of caregivers. For example, circuit-based resistance training, which participants in this trial may receive, demonstrated a small-to-medium positive impact on reducing caregivers' burden. Exercise also tends to improve sleep quality and overall well-being. This trial will test both circuit-based resistance training and walking in nature, both of which have effectively reduced stress and improved caregivers' quality of life. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who are paid caregivers to cancer patients within the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program. It's designed for those actively practicing and looking to reduce burnout and improve well-being.

Inclusion Criteria

Must be providing formal (paid) care to cancer patients in a clinical setting

Actively practicing within the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program

Exclusion Criteria

Exceeding Canadian physical activity guidelines of 150-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week

Any health condition that would preclude safe participation in a new exercise program

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-week exercise intervention, choosing between supervised circuit-based resistance exercise or nature-based walking

12 weeks

2-3 times per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Circuit-based Resistance Training
• Circuit-based Resistance Training + Home-based Walking
• Home-based Walking

Trial Overview The study tests a 12-week exercise program's effect on caregiver burnout. Participants choose from: supervised resistance training, resistance plus home walking/jogging, or a self-paced walking program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Circuit-based resistance exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

12-week, supervised circuit-based resistance training program (2-3 times/week).

Group II: Nature Walking Active Control 1 Intervention

12-weeks self-paced walking in nature (2-3 times/week).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Melanie Keats

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

70+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The dyadic intervention combining mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for caregivers and balance and progressive resistance training (PRT) for their loved ones significantly improved caregiver mindfulness and functional mobility in the loved ones, indicating potential benefits for both parties involved.

Despite these improvements, the intervention did not significantly reduce caregiver burden, suggesting that while mindfulness training is beneficial, additional strategies may be needed to address the challenges faced by caregivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caring for Informal Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones Via the HOMeCARE Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program (HOMeCARE): A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial. Lang, T., Daniel, K., Inskip, M., et al.[2023]

The Pleasant Events Program (PEP) significantly reduced depressive symptoms and the inflammatory marker IL-6 in dementia caregivers over a 6-week intervention, with 32.7% of participants showing clinically significant improvement in depression compared to 11.8% in the control group.

PEP also led to a notable decrease in negative affect, indicating its potential effectiveness in improving both psychological and physiological health in caregivers, although long-term effects beyond the intervention period need further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy for improving psychological and physical health in dementia caregivers: results of the Pleasant Events Program (PEP). Moore, RC., Chattillion, EA., Ceglowski, J., et al.[2021]

A 12-week home-based exercise program that combined psychoeducation with aerobic and resistance training significantly improved physical function in family caregivers of individuals with heart failure, as evidenced by better performance in the 6-minute walk test and strength measures.

Caregivers participating in the exercise program also reported significantly enhanced perceptions of their caregiving experience, indicating that physical activity can positively impact both physical health and emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Intervention to Improve Physical Function and Caregiver Perceptions in Family Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure. Gary, R., Dunbar, SB., Higgins, M., et al.[2021]

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies involving caregivers for individuals with chronic illnesses found that exercise training significantly improves both mental and physical health, with a small-to-medium effect size (0.30).

The results suggest that incorporating exercise into the routine of caregivers can be an effective strategy to mitigate the negative health impacts associated with caregiving responsibilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Exercise Training on the Mental and Physical Well-Being of Caregivers for Persons Living With Chronic Illnesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Epps, F., To, H., Liu, TT., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 21 caregivers from three facilities, it was found that most caregivers experienced low levels of burn-out and perceived stress, along with satisfactory social support.

Caregivers with lower burn-out levels tended to use more functional coping strategies, while those with higher burn-out levels resorted to dysfunctional strategies, highlighting the need for support groups to enhance coping mechanisms and improve job satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Professional stress and social support feelings, coping strategies, and burn-out of caregivers in care facilities for dependent elderly people]. Tonna, S.[2021]

A six-week Vinyasa yoga intervention significantly improved the mental quality of life and reduced psychological distress among 12 informal caregivers for cancer patients, indicating its potential as a beneficial support strategy.

Participants reported physical benefits such as increased flexibility, strength, and energy, alongside mental health improvements, suggesting that Vinyasa yoga can enhance overall well-being for caregivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of yoga on quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers for patients with cancer. Martin, AC., Keats, MR.[2022]

Caregiver-mediated exercise (CME) programs showed potential benefits in improving standing balance and quality of life for stroke patients, although the overall impact on basic activities of daily living (ADL) was not significant based on a meta-analysis of nine trials involving 333 patient-caregiver couples.

Despite the lack of significant effects on basic ADL, CME did not increase caregiver burden, suggesting that involving caregivers in rehabilitation may be a feasible approach without adding stress to them.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver-mediated exercises for improving outcomes after stroke. Vloothuis, JD., Mulder, M., Veerbeek, JM., et al.[2022]

Caregivers who participated in dyadic exercise interventions with care recipients showed improvements in both psychosocial and physical health, indicating that exercising together can be beneficial for their well-being.

Caregivers who did not exercise but received separate nonexercise interventions, like support or education, also experienced psychosocial benefits, while those receiving usual care had fewer health improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic Review of Exercise for Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyads: What Is Best for Spousal Caregivers-Exercising Together or Not at All? Doyle, KL., Toepfer, M., Bradfield, AF., et al.[2022]

The University of Arizona Elder Rehab program effectively provides structured exercise and cognitive activities for individuals with early to moderate stage dementia, addressing their unique challenges in accessing fitness programs.

This program not only benefits participants with dementia but also offers valuable experience for students serving as rehab partners, making it a cost-effective and replicable model that could also support frail and depressed elderly individuals without dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elder rehab: a student-supervised exercise program for Alzheimer's patients. Arkin, SM.[2019]

Physical inactivity is a common issue among older family caregivers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve their physical health.

A four-month supervised home-based physical activity program focusing on moderate-intensity exercises, like brisk walking, is feasible and may lead to improvements in both physical health (such as lower blood pressure) and psychological outcomes (like reduced anger expression).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing physical and psychological functioning in older family caregivers: the role of regular physical activity. King, AC., Brassington, G.[2018]

In a study involving 31 elderly caregivers of dementia patients, those who engaged in regular moderate-intensity exercise (3 times a week for 12 weeks) experienced significant reductions in caregiver burden and fatigue, along with improved sleep quality.

The control group, which did not participate in the exercise program, showed no such improvements, highlighting the potential benefits of exercise for enhancing the quality of life for caregivers of dementia patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of regular exercise on subjective sense of burden and physical symptoms in community-dwelling caregivers of dementia patients: a randomized controlled trial. Hirano, A., Suzuki, Y., Kuzuya, M., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Effects of physical exercise in reducing caregivers burden The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effectiveness of exercise-based programs or muscle relaxation in reducing caregiver burden ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-compassion-fatigue-8-2023-0714b

Exercise for Caregiver Burnout (C4C+ Trial) Research shows that exercise training can improve the mental and physical health of caregivers, with a small-to-medium positive effect. Regular exercise has ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39975791/

Effects of physical exercise in reducing caregivers burden The results suggest that physical exercise interventions are effective in reducing caregiver burden and stress, while also enhancing overall well-being.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296624000024

The efficacy of physical activity to improve the mental ... There was consistent evidence of a reduction in psychological stress (3/3, 100% of RCTs) and improvement of sleep quality (3/4, 75%) following exercise compared ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1474913/full

Effects of physical exercise in reducing caregivers burden The results suggest that physical exercise interventions are effective in reducing caregiver burden and stress, while also enhancing overall well-being.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2260134124003918

Home-Based Exercise Programs for the Oldest-Old to ... These home interventions demonstrated potential, safety and effectiveness in preventing and alleviating physical frailty, adherence in most studies varied ...

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692155241271047

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized ... Objectives. To understand the nature and effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving informal stroke caregiver burden, stress, and strain.

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03675217

Physical Exercise Program for Family Caregivers of ... This estudy evaluates the effects of physical exercise program on health related quality of life (HRQoL), pain and physical fitness in family ...

9. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/362389642_Effects_of_a_Home-Based_Exercise_Program_on_Health-Related_Quality_of_Life_and_Physical_Fitness_in_Dementia_Caregivers_A_Randomized_Controlled_Trial

(PDF) Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Program on ... A randomized controlled trial study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 9-month home-based exercise intervention on health-related quality ...