Physical Activity for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

University of Ottawa17 enrolled

Overview

More adolescents and young adults are surviving cancer than ever before. Many endure negative effects related to their cancer and its treatment, which reduces their quality of life and functioning. Physical activity is one strategy that has been shown to promote quality of life amongst cancer survivors. However, very little research has focused on adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to explore the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of a 12-week home-based physical activity intervention in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Interventions

Participants will receive a 12-week home-based physical activity program that has been individualized using their baseline assessment results. The program will be comprised of aerobic training (2 days/week) and resistance training (2 days/week). The aerobic training will be performed unsupervised. The resistance training will be performed under the supervision of a study team member (who will visit participants homes) for the first 6 weeks to ensure proper form and safety.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 15 YearsMax age: 44 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Have been diagnosed with cancer for the first time between the ages of 15 and 39 years; 2. Have completed cancer treatment within 5 years; 3. Currently between the ages of 15 to 44 years; 4. Have no current evidence of progressive disease, secondary cancer (i.e., cancer cells that have spread from the primary cancer), or second cancers (i.e., a new different cancer); 5. Live within 100 km of the University of Ottawa; 6. Be inactive or insufficiently active as determined by a single item screening question (i.e., participants must respond "no" to the following question: are you currently engaging in moderate physical activity, defined as activity that increases your heart rate and causes you to sweat, on 3 or more days a week?). Screening participants based on their level of physical activity will ensure only those individuals for whom the intervention will have the largest effect are recruited; 7. Able to read, understand, and provide informed consent in English; 8. Ready for physical activity as indicated by answering Physical Activity Readiness Questions (PAR-Q). If participants are not ready for physical activity as determined by the PAR-Q they will need to complete a Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination Form. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Physical impairments precluding participation in physical activity; 2. Unwilling or unable to sign the Participant Informed Consent Form; 3. Received a diagnosis of brain cancer or thyroid cancer. Brain cancer survivors will be excluded as a function of the cognitive impairments associated with their diagnosis and treatment and thyroid cancer survivors will be excluded due to the vastly different treatment regimens. That is, both of these cancers may result in different physical, psychological/emotional, and social effects that could impact the outcomes of interest. Eligible participants who want to participate in the other pre-specified outcome measures to assess cognitive functioning must also meet the following additional inclusion/exclusion criteria. ADDITIONAL INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Right-handedness, because language is lateralized and has been shown to be left side dominant (for right handers) during fMRI tasks; 2. Able to read, understand, and provide informed consent in English for the additional assessments. ADDITIONAL EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Metal implants (e.g., pacemaker) or metal dental work (aside from fillings) that would preclude scanning; 2. Claustrophobia; 3. Poor eyesight (not correctable with contact lenses) that precludes viewing stimuli presented in the scanner; 4. Lower back pain that would preclude a person from lying relatively still for one hour; 5. Substance use disorder as assessed by a single item question (i.e., participants must respond "no" to the following question: Have you been told, in the last five years, by your healthcare provider that you have a substance use disorder?).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Recruitment Rates

The number of eligible participants who enrol in the study out of the number who are referred.

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12-24 weeks

Retention Rates

The number of participants completing the intervention and all scheduled assessments.

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12-24 weeks

Adherence Rates

The number of physical activity sessions engaged in out of the total recommended as part of the intervention.

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12-24 weeks

Number of Participants with Adverse Events

The number of participants reporting or presenting adverse events (e.g., injury) that occurs as a result of participating in the physical activity intervention and/or its assessments.

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12-24 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Physical Activity Behaviour: Daily Physical Activity Logbook

Change in daily self-reported daily physical activity from baseline, to mid-intervention, to post-intervention, to follow-up (if applicable; i.e., if participant consents and is eligible to participate in the additional assessments testing cognitive functioning).

Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12-24 weeks

Physical Activity Behaviour: Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin & Shephard, 1985)

Change in self-reported physical activity (over the past 7 days) from baseline, to mid-intervention, to post-intervention, to follow-up (if applicable; i.e., if participant consents and is eligible to participate in the additional assessments testing cognitive functioning).

Time frame: Baseline (week 0), mid-intervention (weeks 6), post-intervention (week 12), follow-up (week 24)

Physical Activity Behaviour: 7-Day Accelerometer Wear (Objective Physical Activity Behaviour)

Change in objective levels of physical activity as measured by accelerometers (Actigraph wGT3XP-BT), which will be worn for a 7 day period from baseline, to mid-intervention, to post-intervention, to follow-up (if applicable; i.e., if participant consents and is eligible to participate in the additional assessments testing cognitive functioning).

Time frame: Baseline (week 0), mid-intervention (weeks 6), post-intervention (week 12), follow-up (week 24)

Resting Heart Rate

Change in resting heart rate, as measured by a heart rate monitor (Polar A300), from baseline, to mid-intervention, to post-intervention.