Balance and Resistance Activities for Cancer

Recruiting at 5 trial locations

Overseen By Grigory Syrkin, MD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Neurologic, Musculoskeletal, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

38 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether an 8-week digital health program called COBRA, which promotes physical activity and overall well-being, is a safe and practical option for older adults with cancer. It focuses on patients who have recently completed their main cancer treatment or have stable metastatic cancer. The trial aims to determine if participants can benefit from increased physical activity and overall well-being. Individuals aged 65 and older, who speak English and have internet access, may be suitable if they have completed primary cancer therapy or have a stable cancer diagnosis. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults with cancer.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the COBRA program is safe for older adults with cancer?

Research has shown that exercise programs can be safe and beneficial for cancer patients. Specifically, studies on prehabilitation, or exercising before treatment, have indicated better patient outcomes. The COBRA program is an 8-week online health initiative designed for older adults with cancer.

While specific side effects from COBRA are not detailed, similar programs have been well-tolerated. Exercise programs like COBRA generally pose low risk and aim to improve balance and strength. The trial is in the "not applicable" phase, meaning it is being tested for feasibility and safety, not as a new drug treatment. This suggests that serious side effects are unlikely.

Overall, the program seeks to help older adults with cancer engage in healthy activities, which is typically safe and practical. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The COBRA treatment is unique because it focuses on balance and resistance activities specifically designed for older adults who have completed cancer therapy or have metastatic cancer. Unlike standard cancer rehabilitation programs that might not tailor activities by age or physical condition, COBRA offers a customized approach that considers the unique needs and limitations of older cancer patients. Researchers are excited about this trial because it could improve not only physical strength and balance but also overall quality of life, potentially reducing the risk of falls and enhancing recovery in a way that standard treatments do not.

What evidence suggests that the COBRA program is effective for older adults with cancer?

Research shows that activities focused on balance and strength can help older adults with cancer improve their physical abilities. Studies have found that 71% of cancer rehabilitation programs report noticeable improvements in participants' functional abilities. This often leads to better strength, balance, and overall physical health. In this trial, the COBRA program is being tested as a digital tool designed to be safe and easy to use for older adults. Early results suggest it may help maintain or improve physical abilities in this group. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kristen Fessele, PhD, RN

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The COBRA trial is for older adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. Specific details about eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to be able to engage in balance and resistance activities.

Inclusion Criteria

Older Adult Patients with Cancer

\- Are within 1 year of completion of primary therapy for cancer OR have a diagnosis of metastatic cancer;

1. For the purpose of this study, primary therapy is defined as treatment of curative intent, first-line or later, from which the individual is advancing to active surveillance or follow-up with or without maintenance therapy.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo an 8-week digital health promotion program called COBRA

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• COBRA

Trial Overview This study tests an 8-week digital health promotion program called COBRA, focusing on balance and resistance exercises tailored for older adults with cancer. The goal is to assess the safety and practicality of the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Older Adult Patients/OAP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Older Adult Patients with Cancer are within 1 year of completion of primary therapy for cancer OR have a diagnosis of metastatic cancer;

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Citations

1. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07011862

Digital Health Promotion Program for Older Adults with ... This study explores whether a digital health program called COBRA is a safe and practical option for older adults who have cancer.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07011862

COBRA: Cancer, Older Adults, Balance and Resistance ... The purpose of this study is to find out whether an 8-week digital health promotion program called COBRA is a safe and practical (feasible) option for older ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07011862?term=AREA%5BBasicSearch%5D(cancer)%20AND%20AREA%5BStudyFirstPostDate%5D%20RANGE%5B2023-02-16,MAX%5D%20AND%20SEARCH%5BLocation%5D(AREA%5BLocationCountry%5DUnited%20States)&rank=6

COBRA: Cancer, Older Adults, Balance and Resistance Activities A phase of research to describe clinical trials that focus on the safety of a drug. They are usually conducted with healthy volunteers, and the goal is to ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-neoplasm-metastasis-4-2025-8ea40

Balance and Resistance Activities for Cancer The purpose of this study is to find out whether an 8-week digital health promotion program called COBRA is a safe and practical (feasible) option for older ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9339032/

A Systematic Review of Functional Outcomes in Cancer ... Averaging results found within each of the functional domains, 71% of studies reported statistically significant results following cancer rehabilitation ...

6. ancora.ai ancora.ai/es/details/NCT07011862

Cancer, Older Adults, Balance and Resistance Activities The purpose of this study is to find out whether an 8-week digital health promotion program called COBRA is a safe and practical (feasible) option for olde.

7. urotoday.com urotoday.com/video-lectures/eau-2025/video/4717-prehabilitation-in-cancer-care-personalized-exercise-programs-for-better-outcomes-sarah-psutka.html

Prehabilitation in Cancer Care: Personalized Exercise ... Psutka discusses how exercise interventions before, during, and after cancer treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes, emphasizing ...