Home-Based Exercise for Cancer Patients

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Christina M Dieli-Conwright, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Musculoskeletal, Cardiorespiratory, Diabetes, Hypertension, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 16 weeks

135 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a 16-week exercise program can boost physical activity in Black and Hispanic individuals with early-stage breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Participants will engage in supervised exercises with a trainer via Zoom, unsupervised exercises at home, or just stretching exercises. Those diagnosed within the last four weeks, who are overweight, and not currently exercising much might be suitable candidates.

As an unphased trial, participants contribute to valuable research that may enhance exercise programs for cancer patients.

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 coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that home-based exercise programs are generally safe for people with cancer. Studies have found that both guided and self-directed exercises at home are well-tolerated. Participants most commonly experience mild muscle soreness. This evidence suggests that aerobic and strength exercises at home are a safe choice for those living with cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these home-based exercise programs for cancer patients because they offer flexibility and accessibility that standard exercise programs often lack. The supervised exercise plan provides virtual guidance from a certified trainer, ensuring that patients receive expert support without needing to travel to a gym or clinic. Meanwhile, the unsupervised plan empowers patients to manage their own exercise routines with weekly telehealth check-ins, promoting self-motivation and autonomy. Both approaches aim to improve cardiovascular and strength outcomes while being adaptable to patients' home environments, potentially making exercise more sustainable and appealing for long-term health benefits.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for increasing physical activity levels in cancer patients?

This trial will compare different home-based exercise approaches for cancer patients. Research has shown that exercising at home, whether guided or independent, benefits cancer patients. Participants may be assigned to a supervised exercise program, which studies have shown enhances fitness and quality of life, particularly for breast cancer patients. Alternatively, some participants will engage in unsupervised exercise, which is also safe and feasible, with only minor side effects commonly reported. Overall, staying active can help reduce treatment side effects and improve well-being for people with cancer. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christina M Dieli-Conwright, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black and Hispanic adults over 18 with stage I-III breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer who are overweight/obese. They must be starting chemotherapy soon, speak English/Spanish, do less than 90 minutes of exercise per week, and can visit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for data collection.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for necessary data collection

I started chemotherapy less than 4 weeks ago.

You are overweight or obese, which means you have too much body fat.

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects, who in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.

You are required to do structured exercise for more than 90 minutes per week.

I do not have any uncontrolled illnesses like infections or diabetes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 16-week home-based exercise intervention, including supervised and unsupervised aerobic and resistance exercises, or stretching exercises.

16 weeks

3x weekly at home sessions, 1x weekly telehealth call

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments of cardiovascular and metabolic health, physical fitness, and quality of life.

16 weeks

1 post-intervention visit, 1 follow-up visit

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Attention Control
• Supervised Home-Based Exercise
• Unsupervised Home-Based Exercise

Trial Overview The THRIVE Study tests if a 16-week home-based exercise program (either supervised via Zoom or unsupervised) improves physical activity in minority cancer patients compared to a control group doing stretching exercises.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Unsupervised aerobic and resistance exercise (UNSUP) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 3x weekly at home, unsupervised aerobic and resistance exercise sessions with a 1x weekly telehealth call with a certified exercise trainer for 16 weeks. Participants will also have a baseline test, mid intervention cardiovascular and strength tests and one postintervention and one follow up visit.

Group II: Supervised aerobic and resistance exercise (SUP) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 3x weekly at home, virtually supervised aerobic and resistance exercise sessions with a certified exercise trainer for 16 weeks. Participants will also have a baseline test, mid intervention cardiovascular and strength tests and one postintervention and one follow up visit.

Group III: Attention Control (AC) Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 3x weekly at home stretching exercise for 16 weeks. Participants will also have a baseline test, mid intervention cardiovascular and strength tests and one postintervention and one follow up visit.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,128

Recruited

382,000+

University of Massachusetts, Boston

Collaborator

Trials

42

Recruited

17,800+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Only 14.2% of endometrial cancer patients were found to be suitable for unsupervised exercise programs based on their health status at diagnosis, which increased to 20.5% when excluding common comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.

The study indicates that a significant majority (approximately 80%) of endometrial cancer patients may require referral to medically-supervised exercise programs due to health issues that could hinder their ability to safely engage in unsupervised exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The prescription or proscription of exercise in endometrial cancer care. Zhang, X., Haggerty, AF., Brown, JC., et al.[2018]

A systematic review of 11 studies involving 437 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found that most rehabilitation programs, particularly those with supervision and personalized training, significantly improved physical fitness.

While home-based rehabilitation showed promise, adherence to exercise varied widely, and more robust studies are needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of home-based (pre)rehabilitation for NSCLC patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of prehabilitation and rehabilitation including a home-based component on physical fitness, adherence, treatment tolerance, and recovery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review. Driessen, EJ., Peeters, ME., Bongers, BC., et al.[2018]

A 12-month home-based exercise program for 33 cancer survivors led to significant reductions in waist circumference and improvements in body composition and lower body muscle strength, indicating positive physical changes.

The exercise intervention was found to be safe and cost-effective, with no adverse effects on cardiac function, suggesting that unsupervised exercise can be beneficial for cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a home-based exercise rehabilitation program for cancer survivors. Stefani, L., Klika, R., Mascherini, G., et al.[2019]

Breast cancer patients participating in a 12-week home-based exercise program showed significant improvements in both the minutes of exercise and the number of steps taken during planned activities, indicating effective adherence to the intervention.

Higher levels of exercise self-efficacy at the start of the program were linked to better adherence outcomes, suggesting that confidence in one's ability to exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining participation over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home-based exercise among cancer survivors: adherence and its predictors. Pinto, BM., Rabin, C., Dunsiger, S.[2021]

A six-month home-based physical activity intervention for 32 breast cancer survivors resulted in likely modest improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, with effect sizes indicating beneficial changes in both absolute and relative V̇O2 max.

Participants also reported increased levels of physical activity, suggesting that this intervention could be a practical approach to enhance recovery and fitness in breast cancer survivors post-treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a home-based physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness in breast cancer survivors; a randomised controlled trial. Lahart, IM., Carmichael, AR., Nevill, AM., et al.[2018]

A home-based exercise program for breast cancer survivors significantly improved upper body strength and shoulder range of motion after 16 weeks, involving 89 women aged around 55 years.

However, the intervention did not lead to significant changes in overall physical fitness, sedentary behavior, or disability measures, suggesting that additional strategies may be needed to enhance broader health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a Home-Based Exercise Intervention in the Fitness Profile of Hispanic Survivors of Breast Cancer. Ortiz, A., Hughes, DC., Mama, SK., et al.[2022]

A study involving 119 cancer patients found that a home-based exercise program did not significantly reduce cancer-related fatigue or related symptoms compared to usual care, indicating that the timing and effectiveness of such interventions need further investigation.

Despite the lack of significant differences in fatigue and related symptoms, the study suggests that any physical activity during cancer treatment is beneficial and poses no harm, highlighting the importance of exercise adherence and regular assessments of patient symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial of home-based exercise for cancer-related fatigue in women during and after chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Dodd, MJ., Cho, MH., Miaskowski, C., et al.[2022]

Home-based exercise interventions for cancer survivors show promise in improving cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity levels, fatigue, health-related quality of life, and body composition, based on a review of nine randomized controlled trials.

Despite the positive findings, the studies had methodological limitations, highlighting the need for more rigorous research designs to better understand the benefits of home-based exercise in cancer rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home-Based Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Interventions in Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review. Batalik, L., Winnige, P., Dosbaba, F., et al.[2021]

Citations

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A randomized-controlled trial comparing supervised aerobic ... This study compared the relative efficacy of aerobic training to resistance training on physical functioning in older breast cancer survivors.

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Efficacy of aerobic and resistance exercises on cancer pain Aerobic and resistance exercises are tolerable and effective adjunct therapies to reduce cancer-related pain while also improving physical function, fatigue ...

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Supervised, structured and individualized exercise in ... Our results indicate that the exercise intervention not only had a positive effect on physical fatigue and HRQOL but also on pain and dyspnea.

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Effect of a Long-Term Online Home-Based Supervised ... The supervised home-based exercise program improved physical fitness compared to the exercise recommendation group in breast cancer patients undergoing ...

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Home-Based Aerobic and Resistance Exercise ... This article identifies the literature on the health effects of HB exercise interventions and evaluates studies' methodological quality.

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Testing Home-based Exercise Strategies in Underserved ... The purpose of this research is to determine whether a 16 week, home-based, aerobic and resistance exercise intervention will increase physical activity ...

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Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors - PubMed Central There is early evidence from two high-quality controlled trials where pain was the primary outcome that a combined home-based aerobic plus supervised resistance ...

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01778-5

Feasibility, safety, and adherence of home-based exercise ... Home-based exercise interventions are feasible and safe for people diagnosed with cancer, with minor adverse events being the most common.