Understanding the Feasibility of a Pre-radiotherapy Exercise Program for Lung Cancer

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a sequential, mixed-methods feasibility study in two phases. Phase 1 collects quantitative data on recruitment, session attendance, adherence to prescribed intensity, and safety events. Phase 2 uses qualitative interviews with participants, family members, and healthcare professionals to explore acceptability. The exercise program is co-designed with input from people affected by lung cancer and clinicians, and is personalized using baseline fitness testing and a heart-rate reserve calculation to set intensity levels. Participants receive up to 15 or 20 supervised sessions aligned with their radiotherapy schedule.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with clinically or histologically confirmed NSCLC stages 1-3.
* Planned to receive treatment with curative intention radiation as primary treatment.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
* At least 18 years of age.
* Can understand and communicate in English.
* Deemed safe to participate in moderate-intensity exercise and for ECG monitored maximal fitness test through the completion of a medical clearance form by their treating physician.
* Able to provide written and informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unstable or new angina (diagnosed within the previous month).
* Unstable or acute heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or other uncontrolled cardiac disease (as evidenced by symptomatic fluid retention, excessive breathlessness, rapid weight gain, swollen ankles or pitting oedema) within the previous 3 months.
* Presence of new or uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias.
* Confirmed or suspected spinal cord compression.
* Uncontrolled diabetes (e.g. medication changed within 1 month, has had episodes of hypoglycaemia during the previous 2 weeks, or hyperglycaemia which does not decrease with exercise during the previous 2 weeks).
* Is receiving combination treatment with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
* Current active secondary malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
* Has had orthopaedic surgery within the previous 3 months on weight-bearing bones.
* Chest pain while undertaking exercise or physical activity.
* No \> Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy.
* Metastatic disease beyond localised metastatic involvement (e.g. bone or brain).
* Has discovered any abnormalities shown on the ECG monitored maximal fitness test which warrant early termination or contraindicate physical activity.
* People with living with a physical disability which would limit their ability to exercise safely on the stationary exercise bike used within this study.
* People who are non-English speakers.
* People who are pregnant.

  * Patient participation in other clinical research - As an additional consideration, patients will be excluded if they are currently enrolled in an alternative exercise or physical activity study, as this may impact outcomes in both studies. However, if they have been involved in research prior to this or are currently involved in research in an unrelated area we will not immediately exclude them from trial participation. Instead, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate, Chief investigator, and Principal investigator will discuss their involvement to determine safe and appropriate enrolment.
  * Physical disability - it is with regret that we will be limited in our capacity to offer alternative exercises to accommodate people with a physical disability. To elaborate, the Belfast City Hospitals (BCH) main gym is willing to lend a stationary exercise bike to the research team in support of this study. However, due to limitations on equipment availability in the trust, and limited funding/resources to purchase equipment, people who have a physical disability which limits their capacity to exercise safely on the stationary bike will be excluded from this study. In an ideal scenario, we would also have a recumbent stationary bike to support more people with physical disability get involved within this research.

Where it's running

• Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, City Hospital, BHSCT
  Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Matthew Peter Beggs, MSc, BSc
• Email: mbeggs06@qub.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 7759264875.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.