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

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This pilot clinical trial studies how well Walking for Recovery from Surgery works in improving quality of life in older adults with lung or gastrointestinal cancer and their family caregivers. A walking program, such as Walking for Recovery from Surgery may help support overall well-being as a caregiver, and may help improve family member or friend's recovery from surgery.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Walking for Recovery from Surgery?

Research shows that a progressive walking program can improve physical activity, exercise tolerance, and recovery in patients who have undergone surgery, such as lung resection. This suggests that walking may help cancer patients recover better after surgery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is walking generally safe for cancer recovery after surgery?

Research shows that walking and exercise programs are generally safe for patients recovering from various types of cancer surgeries, including lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers. These programs are designed to improve recovery and have been evaluated for safety and feasibility in clinical studies. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How is the Walking for Recovery from Surgery treatment different from other treatments for cancer recovery?

The Walking for Recovery from Surgery treatment is unique because it focuses on a progressive walking program to improve physical activity, exercise tolerance, and recovery after surgery, rather than relying on medication or more invasive therapies. This approach emphasizes the benefits of regular, structured walking to aid recovery and reduce post-operative complications. ^{3 9 10 11 12}

Research Team

Virginia Sun, RN, PhD

Principal Investigator

City of Hope Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of inpatient exercise therapy on the length of hospital stay in stages I-III colon cancer patients: randomized controlled trial. [2022]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repeatability and learning effect in the 6MWT in preoperative cancer patients undergoing a prehabilitation program. [2022]

3. Korea (South) 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]. [2015]

4. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preoperative physical activity is associated with prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of exercise and an online recovery tool to improve rehabilitation outcomes of cancer survivors. [2018]

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

Early mobilization programme improves functional capacity after major abdominal cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial. [2019]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development process of an evidence-based exercise program for post-operative colorectal cancer patients. [2020]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multiphasic exercise prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study protocol. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exploratory qualitative study of the meaning and value of a running/walking program for women after a diagnosis of breast cancer. [2018]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a home-based walking program on perceived symptom and mood status in postoperative breast cancer women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. [2010]

11. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The recovery of reaching movement in breast cancer survivors: two different rehabilitative protocols in comparison. [2021]

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

Community-Based Exercise Programs for Cancer Survivors. [2018]