Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

This study is exploring if exercise can help people in the UK with advanced non-small cell lung cancer feel better. Lung cancer often causes tiredness and weakness, especially in its later stages. While standard treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy are very important, researchers want to see if adding exercise can improve symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue, boost physical fitness, and improve quality of life. Participants will be divided into groups: some will just get their usual care, and others will follow a tailored exercise plan, either endurance training (like walking) or a mix of endurance and strength training. The study aims to find out if exercise can make a real difference to well-being for those with advanced lung cancer.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Essen

Enrolment target

104

Start

01 May 2024

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Advanced Lung Carcinoma First Line Treatment Second Line Treatment NSCLC Stage IV NSCLC Stage IIIB Palliative Treatment NSCLC Stage IIIC

What is this study about?

If you have advanced non-small cell lung cancer, you might experience symptoms like tiredness, feeling weak, or shortness of breath. Your doctors will likely be giving you treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy to help manage the cancer. This study is being done because doctors want to find out if adding an exercise programme to your usual care can help ease some of these symptoms and improve how you feel overall.

While we know exercise is generally good for us, there isn't much scientific information yet about how effective it is for people with advanced lung cancer, especially those on modern treatments like immunotherapy. This study is designed to gather that important evidence. It will compare different approaches: some people will continue with their standard cancer care, while others will also take part in a supervised exercise programme that could include activities like walking or light strength exercises.

The main goal is to see if exercise can improve an important measure of your physical fitness. They will also look at whether exercise can help you feel less tired, improve your day-to-day physical abilities, and boost your overall quality of life. The information from this study could help doctors better advise people with advanced lung cancer in the future about the role exercise might play in their care.

Key takeaways

This study is testing if exercise helps people with advanced lung cancer feel better.
It aims to reduce fatigue and improve physical fitness.
Participants will follow supervised exercise programmes or receive standard care.
The study lasts 12-24 weeks, depending on your group.
Your standard cancer treatment will continue throughout the study.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) and have been diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This means your cancer is either Stage IIIB, Stage IIIC, or Stage IV. You should also be starting your first or second course of treatment for advanced cancer within about four weeks of joining the study.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have very severe heart or lung problems, or if your doctors expect your life expectancy to be very short (less than 3 months), the study might not be suitable. Other reasons include having bone tumours that are at a high risk of breaking, certain unmanaged brain tumours, or if you've recently had a serious heart attack or lung clot.

Your general fitness level is also a factor; if daily activities are very difficult for you, the exercise part of the study might not be appropriate. They will also check if you have any severe infections or if you need surgery for a serious blood vessel problem. Finally, the study is currently being run in Germany, so you would need to be able to understand and speak German to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am 18 years old or older.
I have advanced non-small cell lung cancer (Stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV).
I am currently receiving my first or second treatment for advanced lung cancer, or started it recently.
I can understand and speak German (as the study is in Germany).
I do not have very severe heart or lung conditions.
My doctors expect my life expectancy to be more than 3 months.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll first have some health checks to see how fit you are and how well your heart is working. You'll then be randomly placed into one of three groups. This is a bit like drawing names from a hat, to make sure the study is fair. Two groups will take part in an exercise programme, meaning you'll exercise twice a week for 12 weeks. This exercise will be tailored to you and could involve walking, cycling, or light strength exercises. The third group will receive their usual cancer care without a formal exercise programme for 12 weeks. After these 12 weeks, the group that didn't exercise will then be randomly assigned to one of the exercise groups and will also exercise twice a week for 12 weeks.

Throughout the study, you'll have check-ups to see how your fitness is changing, how you're feeling, and to answer questions about your quality of life. These assessments will happen at the start, at 12 weeks, and again at the end of your exercise period (if you're in an exercise group). The total duration of your active involvement in the study will be around 12 to 24 weeks, depending on which group you are in.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits, such as improved physical fitness, reduced tiredness, and a better quality of life through supervised exercise. However, as with any exercise or medical intervention, there are potential risks, such as muscle soreness, minor injuries, or feeling more tired than usual. The study team will carefully monitor you to make sure the exercise is safe for you. You are free to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

West German Cancer Center (Department of Palliative medicine and Department of Medical Oncology), University Hospital Essen
Verified postcode
Essen, Germany

Common questions

What kind of exercise will I do?

You'll either do individual endurance training (like walking or cycling) or a mix of endurance and light strength training, tailored to your fitness level.

How often will I exercise?

If you're in an exercise group, you'll exercise twice a week for 12 weeks.

Will I still get my usual cancer treatment?

Yes, all participants will continue to receive their standard cancer treatment as determined by their doctors.

What is 'randomisation'?

It means you'll be put into a study group by chance, like flipping a coin, to ensure the study results are fair and unbiased.

Can I stop if I don't like it?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Nico De Lazzari, M. Sc.

nico.delazzari@uk-essen.de +49 201 / 723-82035 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.