Virtual Exercise Program for Cancer-Related Fatigue

Overseen By Ryan J Marker, PT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Disqualifiers: Orthopedic conditions, Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic pain, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a virtual exercise program can reduce fatigue for cancer survivors living in rural Colorado. The program adapts a proven exercise method, originally used in a supervised setting, for online use, enabling participants to exercise at home. Participants must have recently completed cancer treatment or be on stable treatment, experience moderate-to-severe fatigue, and live more than an hour from major Colorado cities. The trial will assess the program's practicality and effectiveness, gathering feedback to enhance future versions. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative solutions for managing fatigue from the comfort of their homes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must have completed cancer treatment recently or be on a stable treatment plan with no changes for the next 4 months.

What prior data suggests that this virtual exercise program is safe for cancer survivors?

Research shows that exercise is generally safe for people experiencing cancer-related fatigue and often helps reduce the tiredness many cancer survivors feel. Many studies have examined the effects of exercise on people with cancer, yielding positive results. For example, one study found that exercise significantly reduced fatigue in people with advanced lung cancer, helping them feel less tired and more energetic.

Another study found that exercise improved the quality of life for those with cancer, meaning they felt better and experienced fewer side effects from treatments. Many cancer survivors have successfully used exercise programs to ease fatigue.

Overall, joining an exercise program like the one in this trial is expected to be safe and could greatly improve participants' daily well-being. Evidence suggests that exercise is not only well-tolerated but also helpful in managing fatigue. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the virtual exercise program for cancer-related fatigue because it offers a unique and accessible approach compared to traditional in-person exercise programs. This program allows participants to engage in tailored exercise routines from the comfort of their homes, which is especially beneficial for individuals with cancer-related fatigue who may find traveling to a gym or clinic challenging. Additionally, the virtual format makes it easier to provide personalized guidance and support remotely, ensuring participants receive the necessary motivation and oversight to effectively manage their fatigue. This innovative delivery method has the potential to improve adherence and outcomes, making it a promising option for those seeking relief from cancer-related fatigue.

What evidence suggests that this virtual exercise program is effective for cancer-related fatigue?

Studies have shown that exercise can greatly reduce cancer-related tiredness. Regular exercise not only alleviates this fatigue but also enhances overall well-being in cancer survivors. Professional-led exercise programs prove even more effective, though access remains challenging for those in rural areas. Research has shown that telehealth exercise programs can successfully bridge this gap. A study reviewing various research papers found that these programs improved fitness and reduced fatigue in cancer survivors. This trial will test a virtual exercise program inspired by the BfitBwell Program, which has already helped over 600 cancer survivors manage their fatigue effectively. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ryan Marker, PT, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Colorado, Denver

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for rural Colorado cancer survivors under 80 years old who've finished cancer treatment within the last year, are experiencing moderate-to-severe fatigue, and have high-speed internet plus a smartphone. It's not for those with widespread chronic pain, recent heart issues, severe joint problems or lung diseases like COPD.

Inclusion Criteria

I finished my cancer treatment aimed at curing it within the last year.

My cancer is either in the breast, prostate, or lung.

Live in rural Colorado (> 1-hour commute to major front range city [Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs])

Exclusion Criteria

You have medical conditions that could affect your safety or ability to participate in an exercise program. Some examples include:

My condition is advanced rheumatoid arthritis.

I have severe joint pain, amputations, or injuries that limit my movement.

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 virtual exercise program with CRF monitoring and telehealth sessions

12 weeks

2 mandatory virtual exercise sessions, up to 5 triggered virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

15 months

Regular assessments at 6, 9, and 15 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise

Trial Overview The study tests a home-based exercise program aimed at reducing fatigue in rural cancer survivors. It uses telehealth to adjust exercises when needed based on the BfitBwell Cancer Exercise Program's success metrics. The goal is to see if this can match supervised programs' benefits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Virtual exercise program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will receive the virtual exercise program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,842

Recruited

3,028,000+

Cancer League of Colorado

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

450+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12346299/

A Secondary Data Analysis - PMC - PubMed Central Regular exercise has been shown to significantly improve cancer-related symptoms, including fatigue and muscle weakness, promoting overall well- ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07001241

Telehealth Exercise Program Evaluating Fatigue and ... This study investigates the efficacy of a telehealth exercise program designed specifically for rural cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue (CRF).

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11100177/

Effect of exercise-based cancer rehabilitation via telehealth Meta-analysis indicated that telehealth exercise-based cancer rehabilitation significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD = 0.34, 95% ...

4. cancer.jmir.org cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e59478

A Novel Telehealth Exercise Program Designed for Rural ... A Novel Telehealth Exercise Program Designed for Rural Survivors of Cancer With Cancer-Related Fatigue: Single-Arm Feasibility Trial.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S183695531400157X

Supervised exercise reduces cancer-related fatigue The final analysis of the results revealed that supervised physical activity interventions are effective in the management of cancer-related fatigue for all ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9454950/

Physical Activity and Cancer Care—A Review - PMC The findings from these studies show that physical activity decreases the severity of side effects of cancer treatment, reduces fatigue, improves quality of ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254624001777

Effect of exercise for patients with advanced lung cancer ... Exercise significantly reduces cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with advanced lung cancer, with particular benefit in those aged ≤60 years, using ...

8. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-023-01363-0

Effects of exercise interventions on cancer-related fatigue and ... In this study, exercise interventions were evaluated for their effects on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients.

9. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2023.11251

Which Exercise Approaches Work for Relieving Cancer ... Combined aerobic and resistance exercise, regular physical activity, and yoga were effective for managing cancer-related fatigue while someone ...

10. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11104554/

Cancer-related fatigue is associated with objective ... Participation in exercise programs has consistently been shown to remediate CRF in survivors of cancer across multiple cancer and treatment ...