ACES: Feasibility and guidelines for adding exercise to care for older cancer survivors
Official title: Advancing Capacity to Integrate Exercise into the Care of Older Cancer Survivors: The ACES initiative to establish guidelines, feasibility and best practices for research in cancer and aging
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11399919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project is exploring how to safely and practically include exercise in the care plans of people 65 and older living with cancer to improve their daily functioning and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $545,951 |
| NIH project number | 5R33CA280996-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399919 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) who have completed cancer treatment and have varying levels of functional ability.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with contraindications to exercise or those requiring intensive supervision may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop practical guidelines and test feasibility for integrating exercise into the standard care of older cancer survivors. It focuses on older adults, typically 65 and above, to determine how exercise can be safely prescribed within their complex health needs. Through feasibility studies and consensus-building with aging and oncology experts, the work seeks to inform future larger trials and routine clinical practice. The team will examine different exercise modalities and how they fit into real-world care, considering safety, adherence, and outcomes relevant to older patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the guidance could help clinicians prescribe exercise as part of routine care for older cancer survivors, improving function and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Past research supports exercise benefits for cancer survivors, but there is a need for age-specific guidelines and feasibility data in older populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winters-Stone, Kerri M — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Winters-Stone, Kerri M
Related research
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Understanding Memory Changes in Older Cancer Survivors in the US and England
This project looks at how memory changes over time for older adults who have had cancer, comparing experiences in the United States and England.
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Exercise for older cancer survivors: practical guidance and safe programs
This project develops practical exercise guidance and pilots safe programs to help people 65 and older who have had cancer improve strength, mobility, and quality of life.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.