TeleHealth Resistance Exercise Intervention to Preserve Dose Intensity and Vitality in Elder Breast Cancer Patients (THRIVE-65)

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Breast Cancer; Breast Cancer Female; Stage II Breast Cancer; Stage I Breast Cancer; Stage III Breast Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: Health Education Support Program; Behavioral: THRIVE

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05535192

22-250

1U01CA271277-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research is being done to assess whether an exercise intervention with protein intake support vs a health education and support program will make it easier for women age 65 or older who are receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer to receive all of their planned chemotherapy according to schedule and at the planned dose.

Full description

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility. After participants are determined to be eligible and have signed consent, they will participate in a baseline visit to collect measurements (e.g., weight/height/waist measurements) and questionnaires, a memory test, functional movement and strength testing, and a physical activity assessment. After baseline measures are collected, participants will be randomized to either the THRIVE Exercise and Diet Intervention or the Heath Education and Support Program during chemotherapy. There is a follow up visit up to 4 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy to repeat measurements and questionnaires.

The duration of the study will be 10-26 weeks, depending on the type of chemotherapy participants are receiving.

The THRIVE Intervention will involve:

• Exercise: Participants in the THRIVE Intervention arm work with an exercise coach to participate in both muscle strengthening exercises and aerobic exercises. There is one in-person exercise session at the beginning of the study. The remainder of the exercise sessions are done twice weekly via telehealth throughout chemotherapy treatment.
• Protein intake support: Participants in the THRIVE Intervention will meet with a dietitian to make sure they are eating enough protein throughout their chemotherapy treatments. Participants will be asked to keep a daily protein checklist and share this with the exercise coach each week.

The Health Education Support Program will involve:

• Health education tablet: Participants in the Health Education Support program will receive a tablet with information regarding mediation, stretching and gentle movement, relaxation and creative arts throughout chemotherapy.

Enrollment: 270 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women age >=65
• Diagnosed with stage I-III invasive breast cancer
• BMI between 18-50 kg/m2
• Scheduled to begin at least 10 weeks of neoadjuvant or adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy for curative intent
• If enrolled in clinical chemotherapy drug trial, considered eligible if regimen includes an anthracycline or a taxane, unless the trial alters the chemotherapy agents/doses according to patient response (e.g.; I-SPY trials)
• Self-reported ability to walk for 6 minutes and/or 2 blocks (with or without assistive device)
• Ability to provide written informed consent.
• Ability to understand, speak, and read English. This is because many of the study instruments used are not readily available in multiple languages. Additionally, site-based study staff, such as exercise physiologists, are not bilingual and not all sites have access to interpreters.

Exclusion criteria

• Following a therapeutic diet for co-morbid disease where the THRIVE-65 diet would be contraindicated as assessed by the RD
• Engaging in 2 or more sessions of strength training exercise per week over a period of at least 3 consecutive months over the past year
• Engaging in aerobic activity at a level that includes competitive events (e.g., marathon, triathlon, running races) over the past year
• Presence of medical conditions or medications that would prohibit participation in an exercise program
• Current use of weight-loss medication
• Documented history of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months
• History of dementia

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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270 participants in 2 patient groups

HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT CONTROL GROUP

Active Comparator group

Description:

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and a baseline visit to collect measurements and questionnaires. After the baseline appointment, participants randomized into the Heath Education Support Program will receive a tablet from the study that is pre-loaded with material to help support them during chemotherapy. The tablet materials will include supportive care and resources that focus on movement (light stretching and gentle yoga), soothing music, meditation/mindfulness, and recipes/cooking demos. Participants in this arm will be asked to fill out questionnaires at the start of each chemotherapy cycle to indicate any side effects from chemotherapy and the amount of time they spend engaging with the tablet. At the end of participants' chemotherapy, they will be asked to complete end-of-study measures.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Health Education Support Program

THRIVE: EXERCISE INTERVENTION WITH PROTEIN INTAKE SUPPORT

Experimental group

Description:

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and a baseline visit to collect measurements and questionnaires. After the baseline appointment, participants randomized into the THRIVE Exercise and Diet Intervention will work with a coach to gradually build exercise and stay active during chemotherapy treatment. Participants will work with an exercise coach to reach the muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise goals of the study. Participants will also consult with a dietician to ensure adequate protein intake during the study. Participants in this arm will be asked to fill out questionnaires at the start of each chemotherapy cycle to indicate any side effects from chemotherapy. At the end of participants' chemotherapy, they will be asked to complete end-of-study measures.

Treatment:

Behavioral: THRIVE