Exercise and cognitive rehabilitation for older cancer survivors
Exercise and Cognitive Rehabilitation Interventions for Older Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will test whether a combined exercise and cognitive rehabilitation program, or exercise or cognitive rehab alone, helps thinking and memory in older adults who have finished cancer treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Rochester Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rochester, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07390045 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Older cancer survivors who report memory or thinking problems after treatment will be assigned to one of three active interventions—an integrated exercise plus cognitive rehab program (ECO), an exercise program adapted for home and digital tracking (EXCAP), or a cognitive rehabilitation program (MAAT)—or to usual care. Interventions are delivered with home-based components and digital support for exercise adherence, while cognitive training is delivered according to the MAAT protocol. The primary outcome is objective cognition as measured by the Trail Making Test, with other clinical and adherence measures collected. Eligible participants are adults aged 65 or older who have completed curative-intent cancer treatment and can safely perform low-to-moderate exercise.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 or older who have completed curative-intent cancer treatment, report cognitive concerns after treatment, can walk short distances, have no medical contraindications to exercise, and can participate in English-language interventions.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot safely exercise, cannot walk 4 meters, have impairments that prevent participation, or cannot engage in English-language interventions are unlikely to benefit from these specific programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer older cancer survivors accessible home-based strategies to improve thinking, memory, and daily functioning after treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous randomized trials of the EXCAP exercise program have shown improvements in patient-reported cognition and some cognitive measures, and cognitive rehabilitation approaches have shown benefit, but older adults were underrepresented, so combining these approaches is relatively novel for this age group.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Age ≥65 years (from date of consent, confirmed on the electronic medical record) * A diagnosis of any cancer * Have completed curative intent treatments * Patients on endocrine therapies are allowed to enroll * Patients with hematologic malignancies after autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant are allowed to enroll if they have completed curative-intent treatment * Answered "yes" to the verbal question "Do you have concerns about memory or other thinking abilities following your cancer treatment?" * Able to speak English (interventions are available in English only) * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-3# * No medical contraindications to exercise# * Able to walk 4 meters# * Able to provide informed consent# * Confirmed through eligibility confirmation with the patient's oncologist or their designee Exclusion criteria: * Any physical, psychological, or social impairments that would interfere with a patient's ability to participate in the study as determined by the patient's oncologist or their designee * Unwilling to complete study procedures
Where this trial is running
Rochester, New York
- University of Rochester — Rochester, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kah Poh Loh — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Kah Poh Loh
- Email: Kahpoh_Loh@URMC.Rochester.edu
- Phone: 585-276-4353
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.