Supervised clinic resistance plus relaxation versus home resistance exercise to improve life after breast cancer
Long-term Evaluation of the Body Composition and the Impact of Resistance and Relaxation Exercise on Muscle Mass and Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer
This trial tests whether a supervised clinic program combining elastic-band resistance exercise and progressive muscle relaxation helps post-treatment breast cancer survivors more than a self-guided home resistance program.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (New Taipei City, Xindian Dist) |
| Trial ID | NCT07465393 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Post-treatment breast cancer survivors are randomized to a 16-week, twice-weekly program of either therapist-led elastic-band resistance exercise combined with progressive muscle relaxation delivered in a facility, or a self-directed home-based elastic-band resistance program. The facility arm is supervised by therapists and integrates relaxation techniques intended to address psychological and neuromuscular tension from cancer therapy. Outcomes include changes in muscle mass, physical performance, and quality of life measured before and after the 16-week intervention. The trial focuses on adults with stage I–III breast cancer who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy, comparing multimodal supervised care with isolated home resistance training.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with histologically confirmed stage I–III breast cancer who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy), can follow the protocol, and are willing to attend facility-based training are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with metastatic (stage IV) disease, morbid obesity (BMI >40), uncontrolled hypertension, implantable medical devices or metallic implants that interfere with assessments, contraindications to resistance training, or those already doing intense systematic exercise are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the supervised multimodal approach could yield greater gains in muscle mass, physical performance, and quality of life and potentially reduce treatment-related complications.
How similar studies have performed: Resistance training has previously improved muscle mass and quality of life in cancer survivors, but combining elastic-band resistance with progressive muscle relaxation is less tested and thus relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary breast cancer * Stage I-III non-metastatic breast cancer following lumpectomy or mastectomy * Completed adjuvant chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy) * Age ≥ 18 years * Able to understand and follow the study protocol * Willingness to attend facility-based exercise training. Exclusion Criteria: * Metastatic (Stage IV) breast cancer * Morbid obesity (BMI \> 40 kg/m²) * Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \> 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \> 99 mmHg) * Presence of implantable medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, nerve stimulators) * Presence of metallic surgical implants (e.g., total hip or knee replacements) that interfere with assessment devices * Contraindications for resistance training (e.g., acute infectious disease, severe cardiac disease, severe respiratory insufficiency) * Concurrent malignant diseases * Current participation in intense systematic exercise training (defined as at least 1 hour, twice per week) * Previous participation in an exercise intervention clinical trial.
Where this trial is running
New Taipei City, Xindian Dist
- Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation — New Taipei City, Xindian Dist, Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Valeria Chiu
- Email: haydenbell28@gmail.com
- Phone: +886266289779
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.