Video-guided exercise program to help recovery after mastectomy

Strong Survivors: A Prospective Study of Video-assisted Exercise Program for the Breast Cancer Survivors

This 16-week live small-group video exercise program will try to improve fitness, balance, and strength for adults who recently had a mastectomy.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: University of California, San Diego (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (San Diego, California and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07071896 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The program, called Strong Survivors, is a 16-week digitally delivered curriculum that provides semi-individualized, real-time instruction in small group classes. It combines three core components—cardiovascular fitness, balance and postural stability, and muscular strength and power—with standardized exercises scaled to each participant's ability. Classes are held twice weekly, starting with up to five people for the first two weeks and then mixing one small class and one larger class (up to 15) each week. Participants must have a tablet-size (≥7 inch) internet-connected device with a camera and sufficient broadband to join live Zoom sessions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who had unilateral or bilateral mastectomy within about four weeks of pre-screening and who can provide consent and join live sessions with a tablet-or-larger internet device are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who had a fall-related fracture within the past two years or who lack the required tablet-size device or sufficient internet connectivity are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants could gain improved cardiovascular fitness, balance, and muscle strength during recovery after mastectomy through an accessible remote program.

How similar studies have performed: Exercise interventions have shown benefits for breast cancer survivors, but delivering semi-individualized instruction live in small online groups is a relatively new approach with limited prior testing.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all the following criteria:

1. Persons, aged 18+
2. Undergone breast cancer surgery within the 4 weeks of being contacted for pre-screening

   a. Acceptable surgery includes unilateral or bilateral mastectomy (Lymph node surgery is NOT required but is still acceptable)
3. Own a computer or alternative device capable of real-time Zoom videoconferencing, including access to internet or cellular connectivity sufficient in broadband. This requires a screen of at least 7 inches (a cell phone is large enough for us to see the participant, but not for the participant to see us).
4. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
5. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Have sustained a previous fall-related fracture within the last 2 years;
2. have poorly controlled cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or a debilitating musculoskeletal or neurological condition severely limiting function/ability to perform the exercise program as determined by the breast surgeon at screening for trial enrollment
3. experience vertigo or dizziness/light headedness observed at enrollment or during initial occupational therapy evaluation.
4. are on multiple benzodiazepine or neuroleptic medications.
5. Pregnant or trying to become pregnant

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Where this trial is running

San Diego, California and 1 other locations

• UCSD — San Diego, California, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
• UCSD — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sara M. Grossi, MD

Conditions Mastectomy; Exercise, Mastectomy; rehabilitation