Tele-Exercise for MERP

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Jun 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a special exercise program delivered through video calls can help Veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their military service. Many Veterans report having trouble with physical activities, like running short distances, due to health issues linked to their exposure to smoke and other harmful substances from burn pits. The trial will involve Veterans who have significant exposure and will compare those who join a 12-week guided tele-exercise program with those who receive standard care. The goal is to see if this exercise program can improve their physical abilities and overall quality of life.

To participate in this trial, you must be a Veteran aged 40 or older who has spent a significant amount of time around burn pits during your deployments. You also need to be able to use video conferencing technology to communicate with the study staff and give your consent to join. However, some conditions may prevent you from participating, such as severe heart or lung problems, major mental health issues, or recent hospitalizations. If you meet the requirements, you could play an important role in helping improve care for Veterans with similar experiences.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Veteran
• • Age \> or equal to 40 years
• • Self-reported exposure to burn pits and/or burn pit smoke during overseas military deployment (at least 6 hours per day during one or more deployments of at least three months)
• • ability to interact with study staff using video conferencing technology
• • ability to provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Musculoskeletal or medical conditions which preclude participation in a tele-exercise program
• • Active severe mental health or psychiatric issues, including suicidality
• • Severe pulmonary disease (chronic supplemental oxygen), or lobectomy or greater resection
• • Myocardial infarction (within 3 months), or exertional or unstable angina
• • Uncontrolled systemic hypertension, defined as resting systolic blood pressure \> 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \> 110 at time of most recent evaluation at time of recruitment
• • Active systemic treatment for cancer
• • Acute care hospitalization within the last 90 days
• • End-stage liver or renal disease
• • Any other medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude safe participation in tele-exercise, according to the judgment of the investigators