Exercise and Relaxation Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop an exercise and relaxation program for young adults (age 18 to 39) who have completed their treatment for cancer.
Description
There is evidence that cancer diagnosis and treatment during young adulthood puts survivors at risk for a number of medical and psychosocial difficulties including cardiovascular disease, second cancers and psychological distress. The proposed research is aimed at developing a physical activity and relaxation intervention for young adult cancer survivors in order to address some of their medical and psychosocial risks. The objective of the study is to pilot test a 12-week physical activity and relaxation intervention in this population. We hypothesize that the intervention will be feasible for and acceptable to young adult cancer survivors. We also hypothesize that the intervention group will demonstrate increased levels of physical activity, improved mood and reduced fatigue relative to the wait list control group at the 12-week and 24-week follow-up assessments; statistically significant differences may not be found due to the small sample size, however. In addition, we will conduct exploratory tests of intervention effects on fitness, flexibility, body mass, and waist circumference. Sixty participants will be recruited for the pilot study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive a 12-week physical activity and relaxation intervention or to a wait list control group. Intervention group participants will receive 12 weeks of behavior change counseling, based on the Transtheoretical Model and Social Cognitive Theory, to help them adopt a program of brisk walking and learn mindfulness meditation. They will also be given access to an online discussion group. Participants in both arms of the study will be assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Following the 24-week assessment, wait list control participants will offered the 12-week intervention and one additional assessment (i.e., at 36 weeks). Data will be collected on intervention feasibility (e.g., number of counseling sessions delivered) and acceptability (e.g., general satisfaction ratings). ANCOVAs will be used to conduct preliminary tests of intervention effects (e.g., on physical activity, mood, and fatigue).
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Conditions
Cancer
Intervention
Exercise and relaxation intervention
Location
Miriam Hospital
Providence
Rhode Island
United States
02903
Status
Recruiting
Source
The Miriam Hospital
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00801008
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Natural Childbirth
Labor and delivery without medical intervention, usually involving RELAXATION THERAPY.
Exercise Tolerance
The exercise capacity of an individual as measured by endurance (maximal exercise duration and/or maximal attained work load) during an EXERCISE TEST.
Exercise Test
Controlled physical activity, more strenuous than at rest, which is performed in order to allow assessment of physiological functions, particularly cardiovascular and pulmonary, but also aerobic capacity. Maximal (most intense) exercise is usually required but submaximal exercise is also used. The intensity of exercise is often graded, using criteria such as rate of work done, oxygen consumption, and heart rate.
Asthma, Exercise-induced
Asthma attacks following a period of exercise. Usually the induced attack is short-lived and regresses spontaneously. The magnitude of postexertional airway obstruction is strongly influenced by the environment in which exercise is performed (i.e. inhalation of cold air during physical exertion markedly augments the severity of the airway obstruction; conversely, warm humid air blunts or abolishes it).
Allostasis
Biological adaptation, such as the rise of EPINEPHRINE in response to exercise, stress or perceived danger, followed by a fall of epinephrine during RELAXATION. Allostasis is the achievement of stability by turning on and turning off the allostatic systems including the IMMUNE SYSTEM; the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM and NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS.
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