Tai-Chi and Aerobic Exercise to Improve Emotional Symptom Cluster in Late-stage Lung Cancer Patients

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · Mar 9, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how Tai-Chi and aerobic exercise can help improve emotional difficulties like anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients with advanced lung cancer. Participants will be divided into three groups: one will practice Tai-Chi, another will do aerobic exercises, and the third group will receive helpful information on staying active but won’t participate in any exercise classes. The exercise groups will meet twice a week for 16 weeks, allowing them to engage in physical activity in a supportive environment.

To be part of this study, participants should be between 65 and 74 years old, have been diagnosed with late-stage non-small cell lung cancer, and have experienced emotional symptoms recently. They also need to be able to communicate in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English. It’s important to note that those who have other serious health conditions that limit their ability to exercise or who are already involved in other exercise programs won’t be eligible. This trial offers a chance for patients to explore new ways to manage their emotional health while connecting with others in similar situations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • diagnosed with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer confirmed by pathology, with no other cancer diagnosis within the previous year;
• • a current Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0-2;
• • experience of sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in the past week (rating of 1 or more on a 0-10 numeric rating scale \[NRS\] for each symptom);
• • able to communicate in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English;
• • conscious and alert
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • suffering from a condition that hinders exercise performance (e.g., active neurological disorder, recent heart attack);
• • currently participating in any other exercise or mind-body classes; or 3) performing regular exercises, defined as at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly