Pre-infusion aerobic cycling to help maintain fitness during chemotherapy
Pre-infusion Aerobic Cycling Exercise for CardioRespiratory Fitness in Cancer Patients
This trial will try 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling on infusion days to see if it helps adults with stage I–IIIc breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer keep their cardiorespiratory fitness while receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Dublin, Trinity College Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Dublin) |
| Trial ID | NCT07182773 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with stage I–IIIc breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer who are scheduled for at least 12 weeks of curative-intent chemotherapy ± immunotherapy will be recruited and medically screened before participation. Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity cycling for approximately 30 minutes on the day of infusion, guided by a physiotherapist on the treatment ward, across the treatment period. Cardiorespiratory fitness and safety will be monitored using preparticipation screening and CPET-derived measures, with adherence and functional outcomes tracked over time. The approach tests a convenient, patient-centered delivery model for aerobic exercise embedded into routine infusion visits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 with histologically confirmed stage I–IIIc breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer who are scheduled for at least 12 weeks of curative-intent chemotherapy ± immunotherapy, can use an exercise bike independently, and have oncologist clearance are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with metastatic disease, those receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or those with cardiac, cognitive, or other contraindications to cycling are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce or prevent declines in cardiorespiratory fitness during treatment, improving physical function and quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Systematic reviews and other exercise-oncology trials have shown aerobic exercise during treatment can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life, but supervised pre-infusion cycling on infusion days is a novel, less-studied delivery method.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged \>18. Histological confirmed diagnosis of stage I to IIIc breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer. Scheduled to receive chemotherapy ± immunotherapy with curative intent over at least a 12-week period. Medical clearance from oncologist to partake in regular exercise in accordance with ACSM preparticipation screening algorithm. Able to use exercise bike independently. Ability to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced/metastatic disease. Scheduled to receive concurrent chemoradiotherapy. New pain or other pain that would preclude ability to use bike. Inability to read and understand English. Deemed unfit to proceed from results of CPET. Unstable angina, arrhythmia, hypertension or decompensated heart failure. Dementia or psychiatric illness which would preclude safe independent exercise. Acute untreated embolus/infarct. Dissecting aneurysm. Acute myocarditis or pericarditis.
Where this trial is running
Dublin
- Beacon Hospital Dublin — Dublin, Ireland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Aoife McGovern
- Email: physiotherapy@beaconhospital.ie
- Phone: +3531 293 6692
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.