MedPath

The Women In Steady Exercise Research (WISER) Survivor Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Lymphedema
Interventions
Behavioral: Exercise Intervention
Behavioral: Weight Loss Intervention
Registration Number
NCT01515124
Lead Sponsor
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Brief Summary

WISER Survivor is a one year weight loss and exercise study for sedentary breast cancer survivors who are overweight or obese with breast cancer related lymphedema. There will be four groups in this trial: exercise only, weight loss only, exercise and weight-loss combined, and a control group. The primary purpose of this study is to test the effects of these interventions on clinical lymphedema outcomes. Secondary outcomes include weight loss, breast cancer related biomarkers, and quality of life. To the extent that funding will be available, participants will be followed long term to examine effects on recurrence and mortality.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
450
Inclusion Criteria
  • breast cancer survivor
  • overweight or obese (BMI of 25 or greater)
  • must have breast cancer related lymphedema
  • at least 6 months post-treatment (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy) but there will be no upper limit on time elapsed from diagnosis
  • the eligible age range will have no lower limit.
  • currently free of cancer
Exclusion Criteria
  • medical conditions or medications that would prohibit participation in an exercise program or would negatively impact our ability to test our primary aims
  • inability to walk for 6 minutes unaided
  • extremely obese (body mass index greater or equal to 50 kg/m2)
  • plans for additional (e.g. curative or reconstructive) surgery during the study period
  • self-report of weight-lifting within the past year
  • already engaging in 3 or more times weekly aerobic activity of moderate intensity
  • planning to move away from the area over the next year
  • current use of weight loss medication (OTC or prescription)
  • self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months, including at-risk drinking (current consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week)
  • weight loss of greater than 10 % in the past 3 months
  • history of bariatric surgery
  • women who are pregnant

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Exercise onlyExercise InterventionThe Exercise Intervention combines 60-90 minute twice-weekly supervised weight-lifting sessions with 180 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise. Women will be trained by certified fitness professionals in both the weight-lifting intervention and in safely increasing their aerobic exercise activity over 6 weekly sessions, and then monitored through phone contact, and monthly in-person sessions. All exercise participants will be provided with 'Power Blocks' which are adjustable dumbbells with which they can increase resistance in 1-2 pound increments from 1-21 pounds. All weight training will be done in their homes except for the first 6 weekly session and monthly check-in sessions. Exercise only group members also received the Lymphedema care intervention described above.
Exercise and Weight loss combinedWeight Loss InterventionParticipants in this group will receive a combination of the supervised twice-weekly weight training sessions and the weight loss program. Combined group members also received the Lymphedema care intervention described above.
Weight loss onlyWeight Loss InterventionThe Weight Loss Intervention begins with a 24 week intensive phase that includes weekly meetings and provision of all meals and snacks from a commercial manufacturer (NutriSystem®, Inc., Fort Washington, PA). Daily caloric intake will be strictly controlled during this first 24 weeks at 1200-1500 calories per day. Participants will be guided to stay at the same number of calories per day until reaching goal weight, followed by a gradual increase in caloric intake (of approximately 500 calories/d) to maintain their weight throughout the remainder of the intervention. The treatment groups will be led by registered dietitians and will receive ongoing supervision via telephone and email contact. Weight loss only group members also received the Lymphedema care intervention described above.
Exercise and Weight loss combinedExercise InterventionParticipants in this group will receive a combination of the supervised twice-weekly weight training sessions and the weight loss program. Combined group members also received the Lymphedema care intervention described above.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percent interlimb difference, change over 12 months.Baseline and 12 months

Arm volumes for affected and unaffected limbs will be measured by perometry and the % difference will be determined at baseline and 12 months. the absolute percentage point difference of differences (% interlimb difference at 12 months minus % interlimb difference at baseline) will be the primary outcome

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical Lymphedema EventsData collected over the 12 month follow-up, with events collected as reported

Flare-ups and cellulitic infections (number and type recorded)

Weight lossBaseline and 12 months

body weight loss over 12 months

Biomarkers - Sex Hormone Binding Globulinbaseline and 12 months

circulating sex hormone binding globulin levels in the blood

F2-isoprostanesbaseline and 12 months

circulating F2-isoprostane levels in the blood

insulin like growth factor onebaseline and 12 months

circulating levels of insulin like growth factor one in the blood

Clinical Evaluation Score for LymphedemaBaseline and 12 months

Standardized clinical evaluation survey completed by certified lymphatic therapists

Leptinbaseline and 12 months

circulating leptin levels in the blood

Biomarkers: Testosteronebaseline and 12 months

circulating testosterone levels in the blood

Insulinbaseline and 12 months

circulating insulin levels in the blood

body image and relationship surveybaseline and 12 months

32 item survey on body image specifically developed for breast cancer survivors

Norman Lymphedema SurveyBaseline and 12 months

Thirteen symptoms, recorded within a standardized survey (Norman Lymphedema Survey)

Biomarkers: Estradiolbaseline and 12 months

circulating estradiol levels in the blood

Adiponectinbaseline and 12 months

circulating Adiponectin levels in the blood

Glucosebaseline and 12 months

circulating glucose levels in the blood

insulin like growth factor binding protein threebaseline and 12 months

circulating levels of insulin like growth factor binding protein three in the blood

Upper limb lymphedema twenty sevenbaseline and 12 months

27 item survey on lymphedema quality of life

Inflammation: Interleukin sixbaseline and 12 months

Circulating interleukin six levels in the blood

Inflammation: C reactive proteinbaseline and 12 months

Circulating c reactive protein levels in the blood

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Penn TREC Survivorship Center

🇺🇸

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath