Aerobic Exercise and Tai-chi Interventions for Improving Survival in Lung Cancer Patients
NCT ID: NCT03482323
Last Updated: 2020-12-24
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
COMPLETED
NA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2018-05-10
2019-08-31
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
Previous studies, including our own, have shown that physical exercise, such as aerobic walking, improves lung cancer patient's physical fitness particularly cardiovascular fitness, circadian rhythm and immune function. Another popular mode of exercise in Chinese population is tai-chi. With emphasis on breathing and concentration, tai-chi exhibits extra benefits for stress-relieving and psychological well-being. Those benefits of exercise have long been implicated for better survival of cancer patients. The promising benefits of aerobic exercise or tai-chi, as non-pharmacological interventions, urge for need of rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions in improving survival outcomes. However, to date, there has been no report from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to study the effect of aerobic exercise or tai-chi on survival of lung cancer patients.
This proposed research is designed to conduct a three-arm RCT comparing aerobic exercise, tai-chi to usual care in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Recruited participants will be randomised into three groups: 1) a 12-week aerobic exercise group, 2) a 12-week tai-chi program group, and 3) a self-management control group. Aerobic exercise and tai-chi program will be conducted by certificated coaches. Life-long adherence to the practice in intervention groups is encouraged.
Through this project we aim to evaluate if 1) aerobic exercise or 2) tai-chi intervention increases survival (measured by 1-year survival rate) in lung cancer patients compared to control, as the primary outcome of this study. We shall also examine if tai-chi practice can provide similar survival benefits compared with ordinary exercise. Using biomarkers including circadian rhythm, cardio-respiratory fitness, and immune function further provides objective measures for bio-physiological effectiveness of the interventions. The associations of those biological measures and psycho-social status with survival outcomes will be further explored.
Findings of this study will provide crucial information on the evidence-based practice by physical exercise or tai-chi to improve survival of lung cancer patients. This study will also have far-reaching significance in providing important scientific evidence to policymakers to integrate physical activity into routine clinical management as an add-on treatment for lung cancer patients in Hong Kong.
The pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability (such as attendance, drop out, satisfaction) of the trial so that the main study will have a higher chance of success.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
SINGLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
Exercise intervention
Exercise class will run twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants will be encouraged to maintain their exercise beyond the intervention. An exercise trainer will lead the classes. The main activity of the classes includes aerobic exercises of walking on treadmill, or out-doors depending on group preference and weather, at a set pace individually tailored for moderate intensity of exercise, determined by baseline physical functioning assessment and modified based on Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE), or cycling on a stationary bike, using a set resistance to the physical functioning assessment and RPE. A set of four strengthening exercises are included in one of the exercise classes each week. These exercises are chosen to increase strength in the leg, arm, abdomen and improve trunk stability. Weights for the strengthening exercise will be set to give participants a moderate level of intensity of exercise.
Exercise
Our exercise class intervention is based on current best evidence and will be tailored for each participant's ability for exercise. The exercise classes is also designed to fit into the guidelines for exercise in adults aged 18 years and above with a long term health condition. During the 12 weeks in the training, exercises will be varied (mixing up time spent on bikes and walking) along with the intensities of exercise varied to keep the classes more engaging for participants and maintaining compliance to the programme.
Tai-chi intervention
The classes will run twice a week for 12 weeks with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Classes will be taught by an experienced tai-chi master, who will explain the theory behind tai-chi and the principles of the techniques. The supervised session includes a warm up, self-massage and a guided run through of the movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation in tai-chi. The tai-chi master will guide participants to practice the tai-chi they learn in the classes at home each day. Upon completion of the 12 weeks course, participants will be encouraged to continue their tai-chi practice, given guidance on local services and programmes they may join if they wish to.
Tai-Chi
Our tai-chi classes will be based on a 24-form Yang style of tai-chi exercise set.
Control group
Participants randomised to the control group shall receive written information on health levels of physical activity, which they can participate in at home (self-management) and continue to receive their usual care, participants will be followed up with an assessment at 12 weeks, 6 months and one year. At the end of the evaluation stage of the study, survivors in the control group will be invited to take part in an intervention of their choice.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Exercise
Our exercise class intervention is based on current best evidence and will be tailored for each participant's ability for exercise. The exercise classes is also designed to fit into the guidelines for exercise in adults aged 18 years and above with a long term health condition. During the 12 weeks in the training, exercises will be varied (mixing up time spent on bikes and walking) along with the intensities of exercise varied to keep the classes more engaging for participants and maintaining compliance to the programme.
Tai-Chi
Our tai-chi classes will be based on a 24-form Yang style of tai-chi exercise set.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
2. Patients are not currently engaged in other research or participant in any other exercise or mind-body classes
3. Patients aged 18 years old, or above
4. Patients who can communicate in Cantonese, Mandarin or English
5. Patients with no other cancer diagnosis within the previous 1 year
6. Patients report not doing regular exercises (defined \<150 min of moderate-intensity exercise weekly) in daily living, but are able to attend either exercise or tai-chi classes at scheduled times
7. Patients being conscious and alert.
Exclusion Criteria
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
The University of Hong Kong
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Professor Chia-Chin Lin
Head of School of Nursing, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation Professor in Nursing
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Chia-Chin Lin, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
The University of Hong Kong
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Queen Mary Hospital
Hong Kong, , Hong Kong
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Fong DY, Ho JW, Hui BP, Lee AM, Macfarlane DJ, Leung SS, Cerin E, Chan WY, Leung IP, Lam SH, Taylor AJ, Cheng KK. Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2012 Jan 30;344:e70. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e70.
Mustian KM, Katula JA, Gill DL, Roscoe JA, Lang D, Murphy K. Tai Chi Chuan, health-related quality of life and self-esteem: a randomized trial with breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2004 Dec;12(12):871-6. doi: 10.1007/s00520-004-0682-6. Epub 2004 Sep 30.
Sui X, Lee DC, Matthews CE, Adams SA, Hebert JR, Church TS, Lee CD, Blair SN. Influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on lung cancer mortality. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 May;42(5):872-8. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c47b65.
Chen HM, Tsai CM, Wu YC, Lin KC, Lin CC. Effect of walking on circadian rhythms and sleep quality of patients with lung cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Cancer. 2016 Nov 22;115(11):1304-1312. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2016.356. Epub 2016 Nov 3.
Chen HM, Tsai CM, Wu YC, Lin KC, Lin CC. Randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of home-based walking exercise on anxiety, depression and cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer. Br J Cancer. 2015 Feb 3;112(3):438-45. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.612. Epub 2014 Dec 9.
Cheung DST, Takemura N, Lam TC, Ho JCM, Deng W, Smith R, Yan Y, Lee AWM, Lin CC. Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise and Tai-Chi Interventions in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021 Jan-Dec;20:15347354211033352. doi: 10.1177/15347354211033352.
Takemura N, Cheung DST, Fong DYT, Lee AWM, Lam TC, Ho JC, Kam TY, Chik JYK, Lin CC. Relationship of subjective and objective sleep measures with physical performance in advanced-stage lung cancer patients. Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 26;11(1):17208. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-96481-7.
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
UW18154
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id