Lifting More Than Weights: a resistance exercise program to reduce fatigue after breast cancer across socioeconomic groups

Lifting More Than Weights: Feasibility of Implementing a Resistance Exercise Program Across Socioeconomic Groups for Cancer-Related Fatigue Management

This project will try a tailored resistance exercise program to see if it helps reduce fatigue and improve readiness to exercise in Appalachian breast cancer survivors from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: West Virginia University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Morgantown, West Virginia)
• Trial ID: NCT06960720 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The program delivers the Strength After Breast Cancer resistance exercise intervention to women treated at West Virginia University who are 1–3 years after a non-metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Researchers will collect socioeconomic status and allostatic load measures and track adherence, dropout, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and social support. The primary aim is to test feasibility of delivering the program across SES groups and to examine how SES and physiologic stress markers influence participation. Results will guide tailoring and implementation of resistance exercise for rural Appalachian survivors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women with non-metastatic (stage 0–III) breast cancer who are 1–3 years post-diagnosis, report any level of fatigue, receive care at WVU, and are willing and able to participate in resistance exercise.

Not a fit: Patients with metastatic disease, those more than three years post-diagnosis, individuals with medical contraindications to resistance exercise, or those unable to attend WVU sessions may not receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce cancer-related fatigue and increase sustained exercise participation among Appalachian breast cancer survivors, especially those facing socioeconomic barriers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of resistance exercise in breast cancer survivors have generally reduced fatigue, improved strength, and enhanced quality of life, though few have specifically examined socioeconomic status or allostatic load in Appalachian populations.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must have histologically or cytologically confirmed Breast Cancer; any tumor molecular subtype can be enrolled.
* Subjects must have been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer, defined as stage 0, I, II, or III (according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor, Node, Metastasis staging system), and must be between one and three years post-diagnosis at the time of enrollment. With treatment being received from the West Virginia University (WVU) Cancer Institute.
* Any severity or report of fatigue. This can be done through a subjective report documented by any healthcare professional or through a screening tool like the enhanced distress thermometer.
* Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
* Subjects who are pregnant (first or second trimester) or breastfeeding must receive additional approval from their obstetrics and gynecology physician for participation. Only individuals with a singleton pregnancy (no multiple gestations) will be eligible for participation. Pregnant participants must be in their first or second trimester at the time of enrollment to ensure they can complete the full three-month program before childbirth. Multiple gestations are associated with higher risks of pregnancy complications, increased physical limitations, and a greater likelihood of preterm delivery, which may prevent completion of the program.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Male biological gender. Males will be excluded from the study due to the rarity of male breast cancer and the variability gender creates on AL scores.
* Subjects with uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, active alcoholism, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Subjects with pregnancy beyond the second trimester at the time of enrollment, as later stages of pregnancy may prevent completion of the full three-month program.
* Subjects who are pregnant with multiple gestations (e.g., twins, triplets, or higher-order pregnancies) due to the increased risk of pregnancy-related complications, physical limitations, and the likelihood of preterm delivery, which may interfere with program completion.
* Subjects whose self-reported household income is above or below the median household income in Appalachia ($61,688) and for whom the target enrollment of 30 participants in that respective SES group (higher or lower) has already been met at the time of screening, as representation of both SES groups is required for the study.

Where this trial is running

Morgantown, West Virginia

• West Virginia University — Morgantown, West Virginia, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Megan Clark, MD — West Virginia University
• Study coordinator: Megan Clark, MD

Conditions: Breast Cancer, Fatigue, Strength After Breast Cancer, Allostatic load, Cancer Related Fatigue