A Virtually Delivered Exercise Intervention To Mitigate Cognitive Deficits From Radiotherapy In AYAs With Brain Tumors

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Sep 21, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new virtual exercise program designed to help young people aged 15 to 39 who have brain tumors and are about to start treatment with cranial radiotherapy. The goal is to see if this exercise program can reduce cognitive difficulties, which are problems with thinking and memory that can sometimes occur after radiation therapy. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and both young men and women can join as long as they meet certain criteria.

To be eligible, participants need to have a diagnosis of a brain tumor and plan to start or have recently started cranial radiotherapy. They should also be less active than recommended, meaning they do not currently engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. Participants will need to have a smartphone to use the exercise app and access to the internet. They can expect to take part in virtual exercise sessions and receive support while they work to improve their physical activity levels during treatment. If you or someone you know qualifies and is interested, this could be a great opportunity to help manage the side effects of treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 15-39 years old
• • 2. Self-reported diagnosis of a primary benign or malignant brain tumor or confirmed diagnosis of primary benign or malignant brain tumor radiographically or pathologically when available (relapse or newly diagnosed)
• • 3. Plans to receive CRT at MDACC or, if the participant has already started CRT, the participant is eligible if they are within 3 weeks of the start of CRT
• • 4. Received appropriate physician clearance
• • 5. Able to move arms and legs, and ambulate safely
• • 6. Participant is insufficiently active (reports less than 150 minutes of planned moderate-vigorous intensity activity per week in the prior week)
• • 7. Participants and/or guardians are willing and able to provide informed consent
• • 8. Has a smartphone with available space to download additional apps
• • 9. Does not have sensorimotor strip impairment as indicated by the clinical team
• • 10. Has internet access
• • 11. Can receive physical therapy because this is part of the standard of care
• • 12. Participants and/or guardians are willing and able to provide informed consent for protocol PA18-0130 (Pediatric Energy Balance Data Repository Study), companion protocol for the Fitbit application/assessment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Non-English speaking
• • 2. Screen failure for exercise safety based on Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).12
• • 3. Underlying unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease or symptomatic cardiac disease
• • 4. Recent fracture or acute musculoskeletal injury that precludes ability to participate in supervised exercise training sessions
• • 5. Cognitive and/or major sensory deficits that would impede the completion of research activities and assessments as deemed by the clinical team.
• • 6. Self-reported diagnosis of a metastatic brain tumor or confirmed diagnosis of a metastatic brain tumor radiographically or pathologically when available
• • 7. Self-report of pregnancy
• • 8. Currently enrolled in another physical activity or exercise intervention
• • 9. Prisoners
• • 10. Self-reported pregnancy status