Walking Program for Cancer Recovery

Overseen By Virginia Sun, RN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Non-compliance with safety monitoring

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a walking program might improve the quality of life for older adults undergoing surgery for lung or gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as colorectal or pancreatic, and their caregivers. Participants will follow a walking routine before and after surgery to determine if it aids recovery and enhances overall well-being. It suits individuals aged 65 and older with a lung or GI cancer diagnosis, scheduled for surgery, and who have a supportive family member or friend as their caregiver. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance recovery and quality of life for future patients.

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 team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this walking program is safe for cancer recovery?

Research shows that walking programs like "Walking for Recovery from Surgery" can be safe and beneficial for cancer patients. One study found that exercise after colorectal cancer surgery helped patients recover faster. Patients who exercised before surgery did not face additional risks, suggesting these programs are well-tolerated.

Another study discovered that patients who exercised had a lower chance of cancer recurrence compared to those who didn’t. This indicates that exercise, including walking, can support long-term health without safety concerns.

Overall, these findings suggest that incorporating walking into a recovery plan is generally safe for cancer patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Walking Program for Cancer Recovery because it introduces a proactive approach to surgical recovery through movement. Unlike typical post-surgery recovery methods that often focus on rest or medication, this program emphasizes physical activity as a form of supportive care. By integrating walking sessions before and after surgery, the program aims to enhance recovery, improve physical function, and potentially speed up healing. This approach taps into the body's natural ability to heal through movement, offering a non-invasive, low-risk alternative to traditional recovery strategies.

What evidence suggests that Walking for Recovery from Surgery is effective for improving quality of life in older adults with cancer?

Research has shown that exercising after surgery can greatly aid cancer patients in recovery. One study found that patients who exercised improved their quality of life and ability to function. Another study showed that those who exercised had a 28% lower chance of cancer returning compared to those who didn't exercise. Exercise programs also helped patients regain strength, with many participants improving their muscle function within months. These findings suggest that walking programs, such as the Walking for Recovery from Surgery intervention tested in this trial, can support recovery and well-being for cancer patients and their caregivers. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Virginia Sun, RN, PhD

Principal Investigator

City of Hope Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults aged 65 and over with lung or gastrointestinal cancer, including colorectal, pancreatic, or liver cancer. They must be scheduled for surgery and have a primary caregiver willing to participate. Both patient and caregiver need to understand English and consent to the study. Those who may not follow safety requirements are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years old or older.

Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent

I am 21 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Prehabilitation Intervention

Participants and caregivers receive Walking for Recovery from Surgery prehabilitation intervention in 4 sessions 3-7 days before surgery, before discharge, and at 2 and 7 days post-discharge

2 weeks

4 sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

8 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Walking for Recovery from Surgery

Trial Overview The trial is testing a walking program called 'Walking for Recovery from Surgery' aimed at improving quality of life after surgery for both patients with certain cancers and their caregivers. Participants will engage in this exercise intervention alongside regular surveys and quality-of-life assessments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive Care (Walking for Recovery from Surgery) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients and caregivers receive Walking for Recovery from Surgery prehabilitation intervention in 4 sessions 3-7 days before surgery, before discharge, and at 2 and 7 days post-discharge.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

City of Hope Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

614

Recruited

1,924,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors have been shown to significantly improve quality of life, reduce fatigue, and enhance overall well-being.

Engaging in regular physical activity may also lower the risk of recurrence for certain cancers, such as breast and colon cancer, highlighting the importance of exercise in cancer recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community-Based Exercise Programs for Cancer Survivors. Musanti, R., Murley, B.[2018]

A ten-step development process was used to create a safe and effective inpatient exercise program for colorectal cancer patients recovering from surgery, which included systematic reviews and expert discussions.

The exercise program significantly reduced the length of hospital stays and the time to flatus, indicating improved recovery outcomes for patients after colectomy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development process of an evidence-based exercise program for post-operative colorectal cancer patients. An, KY., In Yang, H., Kang, DW., et al.[2020]

Cancer survivors participating in a 12-week exercise program combined with the Restwise online recovery program showed significant improvements in aerobic capacity and muscle strength, outperforming those in the exercise-only group.

While both groups improved, the exercise plus Restwise group had notably greater enhancements in the 6-minute walk (18.5% more), leg press (35.2% more), and chest press (45% more), indicating that the Restwise program may enhance recovery outcomes for cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of exercise and an online recovery tool to improve rehabilitation outcomes of cancer survivors. Schwartz, AL., Biddle-Newberry, M., de Heer, HD.[2018]

The Progressive Walking program (PW) significantly improved physical activity levels and exercise tolerance in patients after lung resection, with participants walking longer distances and experiencing less shortness of breath compared to the control group.

Patients in the PW group had shorter hospital stays and less time with chest tubes, indicating that this program may enhance recovery without increasing the risk of pulmonary complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effects of a progressive walking program on physical activity, exercise tolerance, recovery, and post-operative complications in patients with a lung resection]. Kim, I., Lee, H.[2015]

A new multiphasic exercise prehabilitation program is being tested for head and neck cancer patients undergoing surgery, aiming to improve physical function and quality of life post-treatment.

The study will assess the safety and feasibility of this exercise intervention, as well as its integration into the surgical care pathway, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness and potential benefits for recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multiphasic exercise prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study protocol. Wagoner, CW., Daun, JT., Danyluk, J., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12165538/

A novel approach to cancer rehabilitation - PubMed Central This article examines the influence of exercise intervention on the recovery and survival rates of cancer patients after surgery.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11668849/

Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on ... Postoperative exercise interventions could effectively improve CRF, functional capacity and QoL as shown in this meta-analysis.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1879406825000967

Effect of preoperative exercise on postoperative ... There was no effect of preoperative exercise on the odds of developing postoperative complications (OR: 0.56, 95 % CI: 0.18–1.71) nor on discharge to another ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2819794

Early Implementation of Exercise to Facilitate Recovery ... In this randomized clinical trial, significantly more participants in the exercise group regained 95% of their shoulder strength after 1 and 6 months ...

5. theguardian.com theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/01/exercise-better-than-drugs-after-cancer-treatment-international-trial-finds

Exercise 'better than drugs' to stop cancer returning after ... After five years, patients in the exercise group had a 28% lower risk of recurrent or new cancers than those in the other group. After eight ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12153519/

Difference Between Walking Parameters During 6 Min ... Our study provides evidence that average and maximal heart rate during the 6 min walk test was higher in the postoperative period, especially in overweight and ...

7. bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-023-02755-x

Postoperative inpatient exercise facilitates recovery after ... Postsurgical inpatient exercise may promote faster recovery and discharge after curative-intent colorectal cancer surgery.