Geriatric assessment and exercise program for older adults with cancer

Supporting Older Adults With Cancer and Their Support Person Through Geriatric Assessment and Remote Exercise and Education: the SOAR Study

This study is testing whether a 12-week online exercise and health education program can help older adults with cancer feel stronger and improve their quality of life compared to those who only receive standard care.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Toronto (other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy
• Locations: 2 sites (Toronto, Ontario and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05509751 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive geriatric assessment followed by a 12-week online chair-based exercise program and health education for older adults diagnosed with various types of cancer. Participants will undergo a detailed health assessment that includes evaluations of their physical and mental health, followed by group-based exercise sessions conducted via Zoom. The study compares the outcomes of this intervention group to a waitlist control group receiving standard care alone, focusing on improvements in physical activity, muscle strength, quality of life, and fatigue.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults aged 65 and above with specific cancer diagnoses who are physically inactive and have a life expectancy of more than six months.

Not a fit: Patients with severe neuropsychiatric conditions or those who have received extensive systemic treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance the physical and mental well-being of older adults with cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with similar interventions combining geriatric assessments and exercise programs, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 65+ years.
2. Diagnosed with lung, gastrointestinal (GI) , breast, Gynecologic or Genitourinary (GU) cancer or lymphoma who are referred for chemotherapy or immunotherapy and have not received \> 4 weeks of systemic treatment.

4) Have a physician estimated life expectancy of \>6 months. 5) Be physically inactive (no more than 90 min moderate to vigorous activity per week as per GLTEQ and do not currently meet the recommended physical activity volume of 90 min of aerobic exercise/week).

6) Able to speak and understand English. 7) Able to give informed consent. 8) Are considered safe to participate in the weekly classes as per their treating oncologist.

Eligible support persons are:

1. Identified by the older adult as their support person.
2. Aged 18 years and over.
3. Able to speak and understand English.
4. Able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe neuropsychiatric abnormalities (e.g., moderate-severe dementia) per the treating physician; and
2. Clinic visit with a geriatrician in the previous 12 months (they have already received part of the intervention).
3. Chest tube in-situ.

Exclusion criteria support person:

Not able to give informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario and 1 other locations

• Princess Margaret Cancer Centre — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Sunybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Centre — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Martine Puts, RN PhD — University of Toronto
• Study coordinator: Martine Puts, RN PhD

Conditions: Lung Cancer, Gastro-intestinal Cancer, Genito-Urinary Cancer, Breast Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Lymphoma, comprehensive geriatric assessment, chair-based exercise