NCT03905356

Exercise Therapy in Radiation Therapy

Exercise Therapy in Radiation Therapy (EXERT)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate exercise therapy as a method for potentially improving radiation therapy treatment toxicities for metastatic cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

Detailed description

Study Objectives and Endpoints: Aim 1. To determine the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of an exercise intervention among cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. The investigators anticipate that \>25% of approached patients will consent to the protocol; \>33% of eligible radiation therapy patients who consent will perform the exercise prescribed (based on the response rate from EnACT); and \<25% of participants will experience a musculoskeletal impairment (without treatment alterations) and \<5% will experience a musculoskeletal injury with symptoms lasting ≥ week or requiring medical attention. The investigators' approach will be to include patients receiving definitive RT; excluding patients at high risk for side effects from combination therapy, including fracture or cardiovascular events. Aim 2. To discern the clinical outcomes of patients receiving RT+ET. The hypothesis is that adding ET to RT will improve patient reported outcomes and physical functioning. The investigators' approach will be to use standardized questionnaires and assessment tools: patient reported outcomes will be assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events - Patient Reported Outcomes (CTCAE-PROs), loaded onto tablets that patients use in the clinic. Questions will assess global PROs relevant to the ability to tolerate RT, including fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting; and disease-site-specific PROs, including genitourinary/sexual symptoms for patients receiving pelvic RT. RT dose alterations will be documented. Scores will be compared pre- vs post- RT. The investigators will also use standardized measures already used in EnACT, including grip strength, 30-second chair stand, timed up-and-go, and 4-stage balance. Scores will be compared pre- vs post- RT.

Conditions

• Metastatic Cancer

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise Therapy	Certified exercise oncology specialists will personalize, prescribe, and guide ET, including twice weekly resistance training and walking, performed at home, with supervision in the Exercise Medicine Unit. The cancer exercise physiologist will teach participants proper warm ups, use of equipment, exercise form, modes of activity, intensity of exercise, flexibility exercises, and cool down. In addition, patients will be instructed to exercise on their own, at home, according to the instructions from the cancer exercise specialist.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-02-12
• Primary completion: 2022-01-26
• Completion: 2023-01-31
• First posted: 2019-04-05
• Last updated: 2023-05-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States