Lifestyle Program for Multiple Myeloma

(MFM Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Melinda Stolley, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Must not be taking: Appetite stimulants

Disqualifiers: Amyloidosis, Pregnancy, Psychiatric conditions, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 16 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a 16-week lifestyle program focused on healthier eating and exercise can improve physical function and quality of life for people with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Participants will either begin the program immediately (immediate intervention) or join a waitlist, maintaining their current habits while receiving encouraging messages. Those who have had multiple myeloma for over a year, are not experiencing severe pain, and are stable enough to exercise and change their diet might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance lifestyle interventions for multiple myeloma patients.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants should be clinically stable with no planned changes in myeloma-directed therapy.

What prior data suggests that this lifestyle program is safe for individuals with multiple myeloma?

Research shows that lifestyle changes, such as improving diet and increasing exercise, are safe and beneficial for people with multiple myeloma. Studies have found that active individuals tend to experience better health outcomes, including improved blood counts and enhanced quality of life. Exercise can also reduce fatigue, improve mobility and daily functioning, and boost mood.

Exercise programs are generally safe for people with multiple myeloma, particularly those with a low risk of bone fractures. Most individuals can participate in these programs without issues. Overall, evidence suggests that adopting healthier habits is safe and can enhance health and quality of life for those with multiple myeloma. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this lifestyle program for multiple myeloma because it focuses on changing everyday habits rather than relying solely on medications like chemotherapy or stem cell transplants. Unlike traditional treatments that target the disease directly, this program encourages plant-based eating, increased physical activity, and strength training to improve overall health and physical function. By promoting these lifestyle changes, the program aims to enhance patient-reported outcomes and body composition, offering a holistic approach to managing the condition that may complement existing medical treatments.

What evidence suggests that this lifestyle program is effective for multiple myeloma?

Research has shown that exercise is safe and feasible for people with multiple myeloma. Studies have found that physical activity can enhance quality of life and physical abilities for these patients. Some research specifically highlights that combining exercise with dietary changes can lead to better health. In this trial, participants in the Immediate Intervention arm will engage in a 16-session program focusing on plant-based eating, increased physical activity, and strength training. A review also noted that patients with multiple myeloma often prefer lifestyle changes, such as eating more plant-based foods and engaging in strength training, which are part of this approach. Overall, early findings suggest that these lifestyle changes can help manage multiple myeloma. ^{2 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Melinda Stolley, PhD

Principal Investigator

Medical College of Wisconsin

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with multiple myeloma who've had it for at least a year, can do moderate exercise and strength training, and have stable health without severe pain. They need to be English-speaking, not pregnant or on conflicting trials, and able to use a cell phone.

Inclusion Criteria

Has access to a cell phone

My doctor considers my myeloma stable with no immediate changes in treatment needed.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Psychiatric or other clinical conditions that preclude study compliance

Other important medical or safety considerations at the discretion of the investigator(s) and/or approving clinician

Individuals with <6 months of life anticipated, coexistent amyloidosis, and/or receiving appetite stimulants will not be approached

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

In-person assessment to measure physical function, height/weight, body composition, and includes a blood draw. Surveys completed online or on paper at home.

1 week

1 visit (in-person), 1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

16-week lifestyle intervention promoting changes in eating and exercise patterns, including plant-based eating, increasing physical activity, and strength training.

16 weeks

Weekly sessions (virtual or in-person)

Waitlist Control

Participants maintain their behavior over the 16-week waitlist period and receive weekly text messages with positive messages unrelated to lifestyle.

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at Weeks 16, 32, and 48.

32 weeks

3 visits (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Immediate intervention
• Waitlist

Trial Overview The study tests a 16-week lifestyle program focused on diet and exercise changes in multiple myeloma patients. It measures the effects on physical function, quality of life, and aging-related blood markers through assessments and surveys.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Immediate Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

16-session intervention that facilitates changes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors to promote improvements in physical function, Patient Reported Outcomes, body composition and general health. The intervention targets plant-based eating, increasing physical activity and strength training.

Group II: Waitlist control Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants will be asked to maintain their behavior over the 16 week waitlist period and will receive weekly text message relating positive messages unrelated to lifestyle.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

Loyola University Chicago

Collaborator

Trials

23

Recruited

13,100+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10062531/

Physical Activity in Multiple Myeloma: A Review of the ... The outcomes of several studies of exercise in MM show that physical exercise is feasible for MM patients. Compared with the control groups, the ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/hematology/articles/10.3389/frhem.2025.1550681/full

Exercise and diet studies among patients living with ... This narrative review highlights MM patient preferences for exercise and/or diet interventions relative to complete and ongoing interventions.

3. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1718-7729/29/2/77

An Individualized Exercise Intervention for People with ... This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention compared with control on HRQoL in people with MM.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2152265022017116

Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy of Exercise Interventions for ... Exercise is safe for people with multiple myeloma at low risk of pathological fracture. Participation in exercise programs is feasible for people with multiple ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6485476/

Early versus deferred treatment for early stage multiple myeloma Early treatment of early stage multiple myeloma clearly inhibits disease progression, but does not improve survival. Results on vertebral compression and acute ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07236502

NCT07236502 | Moving Foward With Myeloma (MFM) The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of a 16-week lifestyle program that promotes changes in eating and exercise patterns.

7. bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13102-025-01193-4

Exercise interventions in patients with multiple myeloma Exercise interventions positively improved fatigue levels, functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in patients with multiple myeloma ...