Short post-meal activity and spread-out exercise for breast cancer survivors
Alternative Physical Activity Strategies for Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors
We will test whether short bouts of activity after meals or spreading activity through the day better lower blood sugar than no activity or a standard 30‑minute workout in sedentary, postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors and similar women without cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Toronto Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT06633380 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares two alternative physical activity strategies (dispersed post-meal activity and brief “PA snacks”) with a no-activity condition and with standard 30-minute aerobic or resistance sessions. Participants are sedentary, postmenopausal women including breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors and age- and BMI-matched controls without cancer. The primary outcomes are acute glycemic responses, including 24-hour glucose and postprandial glucose, measured across the different activity conditions. Secondary and exploratory aims look at acceptability and feasibility in free-living conditions and whether responses differ by cancer history and aromatase inhibitor use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal biological females with BMI ≥25 kg/m² who are sedentary and eat three main meals daily, including those with stage I–III breast cancer who have used aromatase inhibitors for at least three months, as well as age- and BMI-matched postmenopausal women without a cancer history.
Not a fit: People who are already regularly active, who have uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, significant diabetes or renal disease without medical clearance, or who cannot obtain physician clearance are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these simple activity patterns could offer an easy way to improve blood sugar control and lower cardiometabolic risk for breast cancer survivors on hormone therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research in general and cardiometabolic populations shows that post-meal walking and breaking up sitting can lower postprandial glucose, but these approaches are less well tested specifically in breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Postmenopausal biological females diagnosed with stage I, II, or III breast cancer and currently using aromatase inhibitors (AI) for at least 3 months prior to start of study participation * All participants must meet the following criteria: * Body mass index equal to or greater than 25 kg/m\^2. * Self-report consuming three main meals daily. * Self-report as being sedentary (i.e., less than 30 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic physical activity and less than twice/week muscle strengthening of major muscle groups in the last three months. Exclusion Criteria: * If unable or unwilling to receive medical clearance by a physician after being screened for major signs or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or renal disease and safety to initiate exercise. * Major signs or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or renal disease are taken from the American College of Sports Medicine's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription 11th edition Table 2.1. They include pain or discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, arms with rest or exercise, shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion, dizziness or syncope, ankle edema, palpitations or tachycardia, intermittent claudication, known heart murmur, and unusual fatigue with usual activities. * Safety to initiate exercise will be screened using the Get Active Questionnaire, which is the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology's endorsed evidence-based pre-screening tool. * Using drugs for diabetes management (e.g., exogenous insulin, Ozempic, metformin, etc.) or actively losing weight (i.e., \>5 kg weight loss in past 3 months) from drugs or other reasons * Report any injury or other reason for not feeling capable of completing a 30 minute continuous walk or muscle strengthening exercise * Unable to access an Ontario Lifelabs location for an overnight fasted blood draw * Do not have a smartphone compatible with the applications required to collect data. * Cannot read and understand the consent form or communicate in English.
Where this trial is running
Toronto, Ontario
- Remote Ontario-wide — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Amy A Kirkham, PhD
- Email: amy.kirkham@utoronto.ca
- Phone: 416-946-4069
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.