Pickleball for Cancer Survivorship

Overseen By Nathan Parker, PhD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Exercise safety screen failure, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4-6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how playing pickleball can help cancer survivors and their loved ones become more active and improve wellness. Participants will play pickleball at least twice a week for 4-6 months to determine if it boosts physical activity levels and overall health. Cancer survivors (excluding certain skin cancers) and their English-speaking friends or family members who can exercise safely may be eligible.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance wellness through an enjoyable activity while contributing to valuable research.

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 seems focused on physical activity, so it's best to check with the trial organizers or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this pickleball program is safe for cancer survivors and their family members or friends?

Research has shown that pickleball is safe and well-tolerated for cancer survivors. Studies have found that pickleball programs are both feasible and popular among participants. In one study, 85.7% of cancer survivors completed the program, indicating it is well-received. Participants became more physically active and experienced improvements in fitness and social well-being. No reports of serious side effects emerged, suggesting that pickleball is a safe way to enhance health and wellness for cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using pickleball for cancer survivorship because it offers a fun, engaging way to improve physical activity levels, unlike traditional exercise routines. Pickleball combines social interaction with physical exercise, which may help cancer survivors and their families stay motivated and consistent in their physical activity. Additionally, the use of devices like Fitbits and accelerometers helps track real-time progress and provide personalized feedback, which can further enhance the effectiveness of the exercise regimen. This approach not only aims to improve fitness but also boost mental health and overall quality of life for participants.

What evidence suggests that pickleball is effective for cancer survivorship?

Research has shown that pickleball programs for cancer survivors yield promising results. In one study, 85.7% of participants completed the program, exceeding expectations and demonstrating high interest. Participants reported feeling healthier and better overall, indicating that the activity is both feasible and beneficial. The program received positive feedback, with participants finding it enjoyable and valuable. This trial will evaluate pickleball participation for both cancer survivors and their family or friends. These findings suggest that pickleball can be an enjoyable and effective way to increase physical activity and improve well-being for cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nathan Parker, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Moffitt Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who have had a cancer diagnosis (except squamous and basal cell skin cancers), can speak and read English, and are cleared to exercise safely. Cancer survivors can bring family or friends to join the program, even if they haven't had cancer themselves.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to speak and read English

I have had cancer before, but it wasn't skin cancer.

I am older than 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a history of squamous or basal cell skin cancer.

Screen failure for exercise safety based on 2023 PAR-Q+

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a pickleball program designed to increase physical activity and improve wellness. They attend sessions at the YMCA at least twice a week, each lasting 2 hours, and wear a Fitbit and an accelerometer to track activity.

4-6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the pickleball program, including follow-up data collection to assess feasibility and acceptability.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pickleball

Trial Overview The study is testing a pickleball program aimed at improving physical activity, wellness, and social interaction among cancer survivors and their companions. Participants will learn how to play pickleball together in this supportive setting.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Family or Friend of Cancer Survivors Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participation will last approximately 4-6 months. Participants will be encouraged to attend Pickleball sessions at the YMCA at least twice a week. Each session will last 2 hours, and participants will be encouraged to attend at least one hour. Participants will receive a Fitbit to wear continuously 24/7 over 4-6 months to track steps and activity intensity. Participants will also be asked to wear an electronic device (accelerometer) over their right hip during specific time points throughout the study to better understand how pickleball participation contributes to physical activity levels.

Group II: Cancer Survivors Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participation will last approximately 4-6 months. Participants will be encouraged to attend Pickleball sessions at the YMCA at least twice a week. Each session will last 2 hours, and participants will be encouraged to attend at least one hour. Participants will receive a Fitbit to wear continuously 24/7 over 4-6 months to track steps and activity intensity. Participants will also be asked to wear an electronic device (accelerometer) over their right hip during specific time points throughout the study to better understand how pickleball participation contributes to physical activity levels.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

576

Recruited

145,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Oncokompas web-based eHealth application, designed to help cancer survivors manage their health-related quality of life and symptoms, did not significantly improve patient activation (knowledge, skills, and confidence for self-management) compared to a control group in a study involving 625 cancer survivors.

Despite the lack of improvement in self-management skills, this study highlights the need for tailored strategies in developing and implementing behavioral intervention technologies for cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of eHealth application Oncokompas in supporting self-management of symptoms and health-related quality of life in cancer survivors: a randomised, controlled trial. van der Hout, A., van Uden-Kraan, CF., Holtmaat, K., et al.[2020]

The eHealth intervention SurvivorCHESS led to an increase in physical activity among colon cancer survivors, with participants in the intervention group increasing their moderate to vigorous activity from 19.4 minutes to 50 minutes over 6 months, compared to a smaller increase in the control group.

Despite the initial increase in physical activity, the benefits were not sustained 3 months after the intervention ended, and there were no significant differences in quality of life or distress between the intervention and control groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SurvivorCHESS to increase physical activity in colon cancer survivors: can we get them moving? Mayer, DK., Landucci, G., Awoyinka, L., et al.[2021]

The pilot study involving 50 breast cancer survivors demonstrated that the e-health platform 'Healthy.me' was generally perceived as a useful resource for tailored health and lifestyle information, particularly in the first month of use.

However, user engagement declined significantly from 76% at one month to 48% at four months, primarily due to time constraints, limited content updates, and technical issues, indicating the need for ongoing improvements to enhance user retention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An e-health strategy to facilitate care of breast cancer survivors: A pilot study. Tiong, SS., Koh, ES., Delaney, G., et al.[2022]

The LETSGO model, which involves nurse-led consultations and eHealth technology, was well-received by patients, who felt safer and more empowered in managing their health after cancer treatment.

Participants reported increased confidence in recognizing cancer recurrence symptoms and were motivated to enhance their physical activity, although some faced technical issues with the app that need to be addressed before wider implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nurse-led consultations reinforced with eHealth technology: a qualitative study of the experiences of patients with gynecological cancer. Skorstad, M., Vistad, I., Fegran, L., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/13/3/256

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes of Project Rally We examined feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes in a single-arm pilot study of Project Rally, a YMCA-based pickleball program for adult cancer ...

2. moffitt.org moffitt.org/newsroom/news-releases/pickleball-program-boosts-health-and-wellness-for-cancer-survivors-moffitt-study-finds/

Pickleball Program Boosts Health and Wellness for Cancer ... Retention rates were also strong: 85.7% of cancer survivors completed the program, exceeding the target of 75%. Overall, 82.1% of participants ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39942445/

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes of Project Rally We examined feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes in a single-arm pilot study of Project Rally, a YMCA-based pickleball program for adult cancer ...

4. athletechnews.com athletechnews.com/pickleball-perk-helping-cancer-survivors-thrive/

Pickleball Perk: Helping Cancer Survivors Thrive Retention rates were also strong, as 85.7% of cancer survivors completed the pickleball program, surpassing the target of 75%. Project Rally ...

5. blog.mdpi.com blog.mdpi.com/2025/02/21/pickleball-cancer-survivors/

Pickleball Can Support Cancer Survivor's Health and ... In this article, we look at research evaluating the accessibility and effectiveness of pickleball programs for cancer survivors.

6. cancerhealth.com cancerhealth.com/article/pickleball-benefits-cancer-survivors

Pickleball Offers Benefits for Cancer Survivors Cancer survivors who participated in a community-based pickleball program increased their physical activity and demonstrated improvements in fitness and social ...

7. healio.com healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20250306/its-a-blast-pickleball-improves-cancer-survivors-physical-fitness-social-wellbeing

'It's a blast': Pickleball improves cancer survivors' physical ... Cancer survivors who took part in a pickleball program had high retention and adherence rates. · Survivors significantly increased their moderate ...