High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Young Adult Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Launched by DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE · Feb 13, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a special exercise program called High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can help improve the physical, mental, and emotional health of young adults who survived brain tumors as children. The program lasts for 16 weeks and can be done at home through virtual sessions. Researchers want to see if this type of exercise can make a positive difference in the lives of these survivors.

To join the study, participants need to be young adults aged 18 to 39 years who were diagnosed with a brain tumor before turning 18 and have been at least two years removed from their cancer treatment. They should be cleared by a doctor to exercise and currently do less than 60 minutes of structured exercise each week. Participants will engage in the exercise program, and their progress will be monitored throughout the study. It's important to note that women who can become pregnant will need to take a pregnancy test and use birth control during the study. If you're interested and meet these criteria, you could play a crucial role in helping researchers understand the benefits of exercise for survivors of pediatric brain tumors.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
• • At time of study are a young adult, aged 18-39 years.
• • Histologically diagnosed brain tumor during childhood (diagnosed ≤18 years).
• • Are at least 2 years post tumor-directed therapy.
• • The effects of exercise on the developing fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to undergo a pregnancy test and to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control or abstinence) prior to study entry and for six months following duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is pregnant while participating on the trial, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
• • Medically cleared to participate in exercise by their referred physician or a certified clinical exercise physiologist.
• • Are without medical conditions that could exacerbate with exercise, such as bone disease (excluding bone metastases) at imminent risk of fracture or uncontrolled cardiopulmonary or metabolic diseases.
• • Speak English and/or Spanish.
• • Currently participate in less than or equal to 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous structured exercise/week.
• • Does not smoke or vape (no smoking/vaping during previous 12 months).
• • Willing to travel to DFCI for necessary data collection.
• • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of primary spinal cord tumor.
• • Pre-existing medical conditions such as uncontrolled cardiopulmonary disease, or metabolic diseases that could exacerbate with exercise.
• • Patients with active malignancies.
• • Patients who are pregnant.
• • Actively on a weight loss diet.
• • Participate in more than 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous structured exercise/week.
• • Currently smokes or vapes.
• • Unable to travel to DFCI for necessary data collection.
• • May not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study in the opinion of the investigator.