Home-Based Exercise and Diet Program for Older Cancer Survivors and Their Support Persons to Improve Cognitive and Physical Health

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of virtually supervised versus unsupervised home-based exercise and diet programs on cognitive and physical function in older cancer survivors and their support persons. This study focuses on survivors of breast, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer who have completed chemotherapy or targeted therapy within the past 36 months and are at higher risk for physical and cognitive declines due to age and obesity-related factors. The trial is funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and aims to enroll about 1528 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving virtually supervised exercise sessions three times a week along with weekly Mediterranean diet coaching, and the other receiving unsupervised exercise recommendations with educational videos, supportive texts, and access to diet resources. Both groups will use stationary bicycles, resistance bands, activity trackers, and diet tracking tools. The intervention lasts for six months, followed by additional monitoring. Throughout the 12-month participation, individuals will undergo fitness and health evaluations including cognitive tests, physical function assessments such as the 6-minute walk test and grip strength, diet assessments, surveys, and questionnaires. These measures are taken at baseline, after the 6-month intervention, and at 12 months to assess changes over time. The study also involves safety monitoring and requires participants to attend in-clinic visits and complete various assessments to track their progress.

Exercise and Nutrition for Older Cancer Survivors and Their Support Person: The Vitality Study