Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 65 Women only

Impact of exercise on brain function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Official title: Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Cognitive Function Patterns During Treatment for Breast Cancer: a Prospective Cohort Study

Run by University of Toronto · NCT04616300 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to see if being physically fit helps breast cancer patients think better during and after chemotherapy.

More Breast Cancer trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexWomen only
Enrollment50 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Toronto
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 12, 2019
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2024
Study endsApril 30, 2025
Registry record updatedDecember 6, 2024
Trial IDNCT04616300 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are women aged 18-65 with histologically-confirmed stage I-III breast cancer who have not yet started chemotherapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or are scheduled for concurrent radiation therapy may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cognitive function in breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy. It will involve a prospective cohort of 50 women who will be assessed for cognitive abilities, physical activity levels, and cancer biomarkers at baseline and three months post-chemotherapy. The study hypothesizes that higher CRF at baseline will correlate with improved cognitive outcomes, specifically in attention, executive function, and memory. Additionally, it will investigate how lifestyle factors and biological markers influence cognitive decline in this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved cognitive outcomes for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy through targeted lifestyle interventions.

How similar studies have gone: While there is growing evidence on the impact of lifestyle factors on cancer outcomes, this specific approach examining CRF and cognitive function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-65 years old
* histologically-confirmed stage I-III breast cancer, but prior to the initiation of chemotherapy (\<1 cycle of adjuvant therapy or neoadjuvant therapy)
* no diagnosed major cognitive disorders and uncontrolled comorbidities.

Exclusion Criteria:

* received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and scheduled to receive adjuvant chemotherapy
* scheduled to receive concurrent radiation therapy with chemotherapy.

Where it's running

  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre-Odette Cancer Centre
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.