Pilot Precision Exercise Program for Lung Cancer Care

PILOT for The Precision Exercise Regimen for Cancer Care (PERCC) Study

This pilot will test whether a personalized, virtually supervised home exercise program delivered by telehealth can be implemented and helpful for people with stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer who are receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy plus surgery.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Utah (other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy
• Locations: 2 sites (Galveston, Texas and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06945484 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot tests the Precision Exercise Regimen for Cancer Care (PERCC), a virtually supervised, home-based program for patients with stage II–III non-small cell lung cancer receiving multimodal treatment. Participants begin exercise at least two weeks before their first neoadjuvant therapy and continue until about two months after surgery, with sessions delivered via telehealth. The program includes mobility, aerobic, and resistance exercises performed in varied postures and daily activities, with progression tailored to each participant. Feasibility outcomes focus on implementation, adherence, safety, and integration with routine care at the participating cancer centers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) with stage II or III non-small cell lung cancer who are starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy and are scheduled for surgery, can communicate in English or Spanish, and agree to a telehealth-supervised exercise program.

Not a fit: Patients with BMI extremes (>40 or <17.5), medical or physical contraindications to exercise, active substance or severe mental health issues that prevent participation, those receiving single-modality treatment, or those unable to use telehealth are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help patients maintain function, reduce treatment-related decline, and speed recovery after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Exercise interventions have shown fitness and recovery benefits in various cancer populations, but precision, virtually supervised regimens specifically for preoperative stage II–III NSCLC are relatively novel and supported mainly by small pilot data.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages 18 and older at time of diagnosis
* Patient diagnosed with stage II and III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
* Patient receives either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy and surgery
* Patient able to follow direction and complete questionnaires in English or Spanish
* Patient agrees to complete the PERCC intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

* Morbidly obese (BMI \>40 kg/m2 ) or anorexic (BMI \<17.5 kg/m2 )
* Abnormalities on screening physical exam per study physicians or physical therapist to contraindicate participation in exercise program compliance
* Alcohol or drug abuse, significant mental or emotional problems that would interfere with compliance (assessed by NCCN Distress Thermometer)
* Patient scheduled to receive single modality cancer treatment (unimodal therapy), scheduled to begin treatment within 2 weeks of the pre-treatment clinic visit, or for whom treatment has already started

Where this trial is running

Galveston, Texas and 1 other locations

• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston — Galveston, Texas, United States (RECRUITING)
• Huntsman Cancer Institute — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Cornelia Ulrich, MS, PhD — Huntsman Cancer Institute/ University of Utah
• Study coordinator: Thomas Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS

Conditions: NSCLC Stage II, NSCLC, Stage III