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Exercise and Nutrition Interventions During Chemotherapy

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Neuropathy;Peripheral
Interventions
Behavioral: EXCAP Exercise
Behavioral: Nutrition Education Control
Registration Number
NCT03021174
Lead Sponsor
University of Rochester
Brief Summary

This is a feasibility pilot study to initiate a research program to assess the effects of exercise on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet).

Detailed Description

This is a feasibility pilot study to help obtain external funding for a larger study to assess the effects of exercise on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which is a dose-limiting and painful side effect of chemotherapy for which there are no established treatments. The investigators will conduct a two-arm randomized clinical trial in 40 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy where Arm 1 is 12 weeks of exercise during chemotherapy and Arm 2 is 12 weeks of nutrition education (control condition) during chemotherapy. The investigators will acquire data on CIPN via patient reports and clinical assessments as well as general pain and hypothetical mechanistic factors that may help explain how exercise may treat CIPN; these factors include measures of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neuropsychological, and immunological function. The primary outcomes are related to the feasibility of identifying, recruiting, and obtaining complete data from research participants.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
21
Inclusion Criteria
  • Have non-metastatic cancer
  • Be chemotherapy naïve
  • Be scheduled to receive CIPN-inducing chemotherapy during the study (platinums, vinca alkaloids, taxanes, thalidomide, or bortezomib) for the duration of the intervention (12 weeks)
  • Report symptoms of peripheral neuropathy at baseline (subject-reported severity of numbness and tingling in hands/feet of at least 1 on a 0-10 scale)
  • Be able to perform the exercise intervention
  • Be able to read English
  • Be at least 18 years old (no upper limit on age)
  • Be consistently right-handed in daily activities for consistency in reporting any lateralized effects from brain imaging
  • Provide written informed consent
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Receive surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy for their cancer during the study
  • Be in the active or maintenance stage of exercise behavior (i.e., subjects must be sedentary)
  • Have contraindications for MRI scanning (pacemaker, metal implants, pregnancy, etc. - note that most port-a-caths are safe for MRI scanning)
  • Have physical limitations (e.g., cardiorespiratory, orthopedic, central nervous system) that contraindicate participation in maximal physiological fitness testing and a low/moderate intensity home-based walking and progressive resistance exercise program.
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ExerciseEXCAP ExerciseExercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP©®), developed by Dr. Karen Mustian, involves face-to-face instruction and a prescription for an at-home progressive walking and resistance exercise program.
Nutrition Education ControlNutrition Education ControlNutrition education (control) involves equal time and attention as the exercise arm, but the content covers nutrition for cancer patients and lacks an exercise prescription.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percent of patients screened who are eligible12 weeks

Number of patients eligible divided by number of patients screened

Percent of patients eligible who are consented12 weeks

Number of patients consented divided by number of patients approached

Percent of patients consented who complete the exercise intervention12 weeks

Number of patients in exercise arm who improve daily steps divided by number of patients in exercise arm

Percent of patients consented who complete pre- and post-intervention measures of the patient-reported assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy12 weeks

Number of patients who completed pre- and post-intervention CIPN-20 questionnaire divided by number of patients consented (both arms)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Rochester Medical Center

🇺🇸

Rochester, New York, United States

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