Impact of Exercise on the Complications of Corticosteroids in Patients With GVHD: the RESTART Trial

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute

About this trial

This study is about determining if an aerobic and resistance exercise intervention is feasible in patients diagnosed with acute or chronic GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host Disease) after having an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

The names of the study interventions involved in this study are:

* Aerobic and resistance exercise (A+R) - Home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program * Attention control (AC) - Home-based stretching program

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Over 18 years old; children under the age of 18 will be excluded due to rarity of disease

Newly diagnosed with acute or chronic GVHD, starting corticosteroids at a dose of .20 mg/kg or greater for the first time since transplant

Received allogeneic stem cell transplant (any conditioning, any donor) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Physician's clearance to participate in moderate-vigorous intensity exercise

Disqualifiers

Have a plan for hospital admission within the next 13 weeks at the time of recruitment

If patients are not enrolled within 14 days after initial steroid treatment, they will be ineligible

Pre-existing musculoskeletal or cardiorespiratory conditions

Patients should not have any uncontrolled illness including ongoing or active infection, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disease

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Exercise

    Behavioral

    aerobic and resistance exercise

  • Attention control

    Behavioral

    stretching

Treatment groups

36 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Exercise GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Attention control GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Proportion of patients completing the exercise intervention sessions

The primary outcome is feasibility and will be assessed by the proportion of patients completing the exercise intervention sessions with \>70% completion considered feasible.

Time frame
12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Glycemic control level

Glycemic control level change will be measured by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Differences between post- and pre-intervention will be assessed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For binary outcomes, it will be a calculation of the proportion and corresponding 95% exact CI.

Time frame
Evaluated at week 1 at baseline and week 7 on treatment, and at week 13 post-treatment also at week 25 follow-up
2

Body Composition

Body Composition Index change will be measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Differences in lean mass, fat mass, and body fat % between post- and pre-intervention will be assessed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For binary outcomes, it will be a calculation of the proportion and corresponding 95% exact CI.

Time frame
Evaluated at week 1 at baseline and week 7 on treatment, and at week 13 post-treatment also at week 25 follow-up
3

Cardiopulmonary Fitness

Cardiopulmonary fitness will be measured by a submaximal graded exercise cycling test. Differences between post- and pre-intervention will be assessed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For binary outcomes, it will be a calculation of the proportion and corresponding 95% exact CI.

Time frame
Evaluated at week 1 at baseline and week 7 on treatment, and at week 13 post-treatment also at week 25 follow-up
4

Physical function - Margaria Stair Climb

Functional power will be measured using the Margaria Stair Climb test. Differences between post- and pre-intervention will be assessed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For binary outcomes, it will be a calculation of the proportion and corresponding 95% exact CI.

Time frame
Evaluated at week 1 at baseline and week 7 on treatment, and at week 13 post-treatment also at week 25 follow-up

Other outcomes

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