Our proposed study will focus on addressing the feasibility, safety and benefits of a 3-month exercise intervention among individuals diagnosed with melanoma. The study will be conducted at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Eligible participants (n=24) will be randomized into 3 months of wellness education (n=12) or structured exercise (n=12).
Our proposed study will focus on addressing the feasibility, safety and benefits of a 3-month exercise intervention among individuals diagnosed with melanoma. The study will be conducted at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The eligible participants will meet the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria: (a) men and women (≥ 18 years of age) with melanoma cancer within one year from diagnosis, (b) not meeting the guidelines for physical activity (less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week for 6 weeks prior the enrollment) (c) a commitment to two weekly supervised exercise sessions or bi-monthly educational sessions for three months at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and (d) able to understand, read and write English. Exclusion criteria: (a) participants for whom physical activity is contraindicated because of comorbid conditions, (b) participants with dementia, altered mental status or psychiatric condition and (c) participants who are unwilling or unable to provide informed consent. The participants (n=24) will be randomized into 3 months of: 1) wellness education (n=12) or 2) structured exercise (n=12). All participants will receive standard treatment as directed by their oncologists. Individuals in the wellness education group will attend bi-monthly sessions where they will receive general wellness information pertaining to physical activity, nutrition, sleep, weight management and mindfulness. Individuals in the structured exercise group will attend supervised exercise sessions twice per week and receive a tailored daily walking plan using physical activity trackers. A comprehensive assessment will be conducted at baseline and 3-months, which will include demographics, medical and treatment history, anthropometrics, quality of life, physical fitness, past and current sun exposure, fatigue, and nutritional status. We plan the following specific aims: Aim 1: To assess feasibility, adherence, and safety of a 3-month supervised exercise program in melanoma patients. Aim 2: To evaluate the impact of a 3-month supervised exercise program on quality of life in melanoma patients. Aim 3: To evaluate the effect of a 3-month supervised exercise program on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength in melanoma patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
Training sessions will include a split routine based on the day of the week. * Session 1 (e.g. Tuesday) - aerobic exercise (20-30 min) followed by resistance training (10 stacked-weight machines: leg press, leg extension, leg curl, chest press, latissimus pull, shoulder press, seated row, triceps press, biceps curl, and chest fly) for 1-2 sets of 8-12 repetitions. * Session 2 (e.g. Thursday) - resistance bands and body weight exercises (4-6 exercises, 2 sets of 10-20 repetitions) followed by core exercises (2-3 sets of 10-20 repetitions) and aerobic training (20-30 min) at the end. The starting training intensities will be at 50-55% of each individual's estimated maximum heart rate for aerobic exercise and one-repetition maximum for resistance training (assessed at baseline only for chest press and leg press). We plan a 5% monthly increase in the intensity to reach 65-70%% of one's maximum efforts by the end of the intervention.
In our setting, ten lectures in nutrition, exercise and various complementary and integrative medicine topics (e.g. acupuncture and Chinese medicine, mindfulness, quality sleep, etc.) were implemented among non-cancer individuals and modified based on their feedback.
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, United States
Feasibility Assessment
Less than 20% attrition rate for the intervention group
Time frame: 12 weeks
Adherence Assessment
80% or higher of the exercise sessions completed
Time frame: 12 weeks
FACT-M (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Melanoma)
Quality of Life
Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks
6-minute Walk Test
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Time frame: 12 weeks
Hand Grip
Muscular Strength
Time frame: 12 weeks
30-sec Chair Stand
Functional Status
Time frame: 12 weeks
Food Frequency Questionnaire
Nutritional Intake
Time frame: 12 weeks
SEBI (Sun Exposure and Behavior Inventory)
Sun Exposure
Time frame: 12 weeks
FACIT (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy
Fatigue
Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks
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