NCT02580461

Renewing Caregiver Health and Well-being Through Exercise

Renewing Caregiver Health and Well-being Through Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Calgary · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The RECHARGE study is evaluating the effect of a 24 week structured exercise and education program on the physical and emotion health, quality of life, physical activity and fitness levels of family caregivers. Very little research has been done examining the impact of a structured exercise program designed for family caregivers of cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if physical activity is effective in improving caregiver health and well-being.

Detailed description

The REHCARGE study is a randomized control trial testing a structured exercise program for cancer family caregivers. One half of the participants enrolled will receive no exercise program until after twelve weeks have passed (the delayed start group) and the other half of the participants will start the exercise program right away. In addition to regular attendance at exercise classes, participants will also be asked to complete some measurements throughout the study including an initial assessment and one after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of the exercise programs. If participants are a part of the delayed start group, they will receive a fourth fitness assessment. Assessments include an evaluation of physical activity levels, quality of life, depression, sleep, and social support through survey type questionnaires as well as a fitness assessment to measure overall fitness and body composition. Participants will receive an individualized exercise program appropriate for their fitness level as well as 6 education sessions about healthy behaviors throughout the study.

Conditions

• Family Caregivers

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	A 24 week center-based structured exercise and education program	The intervention will consist of a strength and aerobic exercise program. The exercise program will include twice weekly group resistance exercises classes, twice monthly group education classes, and individual activities to achieve 150 weekly minutes of aerobic activity. The resistance exercise and education classes will be run at a gym space at the University of Calgary. The wait-list control participants will be told not to change their activity levels throughout the 12 weeks of the trial. The wait list control participants will be enrolled into the exercise and education intervention once they have completed 12 weeks of wait-list control. A 12 week maintenance exercise program will be offered to all participants who finish the 12 week exercise and education program. The maintenance exercise program will consist of once weekly resistance group based exercise classes and individual activities to achieve 150 weekly minutes of aerobic physical activity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-06-01
• Primary completion: 2016-05-01
• Completion: 2016-05-01
• First posted: 2015-10-20
• Last updated: 2016-10-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada