NCT05549479

Virtual Peer-support Exercise Intervention for Older Adults with Cancer

Completed NA Last updated 21 February 2025

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Peer Matching in Cancer in 18 participants. Completed in 15 October 2024.

Timeline

1 December 2022

Primary endpoint
15 October 2024

15 October 2024

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	McMaster University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	double
Primary purpose	supportive care
Enrollment	18
Start date	1 December 2022
Primary completion	15 October 2024
Estimated completion	15 October 2024
Sites	1 location across Canada

Drugs / interventions tested

• Peer Matching
• Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions

Conditions studied

• Cancer — all drugs for Cancer →
• Aging — all drugs for Aging →

Sponsor

McMaster University

Who can join

18 and older, female only, with Cancer or Aging. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Background:

By 2030, 23% of Canadians will be over 65 years of age. Two in five of these individuals will be diagnosed with cancer. Older adults have high levels of functional decline, and a cancer diagnosis adds prolonged physical sequelae to the natural aging process. Many of these effects can be mitigated by regular exercise. However, older adult cancer survivors are significantly less likely to meet current exercise guidelines than their younger counterparts. As our population ages, we need to develop effective, scalable interventions that support health in older adult cancer survivors. The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a virtually delivered peer exercise intervention with qualified exercise professional (QEP) support for older adult cancer survivors.

Methods:

Participants will include older adult cancer survivors who are cleared for exercise, have consistent access to the internet, and currently take part in less than 150 minutes of exercise per week. All participants will be matched with a partner, given a peer support guide, and information on current exercise guidelines. In addition to being matched with a peer, dyads in the intervention group will have weekly virtual sessions with a QEP for 10 weeks. Participants in the control group will independently support their partner around exercise for 10 weeks.

Outcomes:

Participants will be assessed at 3 time points. The primary outcome is feasibility. This will be measured by assessing recruitment, retention, adherence rates to the intervention, and participant acceptability and satisfaction. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include exercise volume, social support, quality of life, physical function, and physical activity enjoyment.

Impact:

If effective, this will be the first virtual peer-based exercise intervention for older adult cancer survivors. Findings will inform future methods aimed at increasing exercise in older adults.

Publications & conference data

2 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. A pilot randomized controlled trial of a virtual peer-support exercise intervention for female older adults with cancer.
   Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin EK, Innes A, et al · · 2024 · cited 5× · PMID 39462335 · DOI 10.1186/s12877-024-05495-z
2. A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the feasibility and preliminary effects of different forms of exercise-related social support for older adult survivors of cancer.
   Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin E, Innes A, et al · · 2026 · PMID 41673350 · DOI 10.1007/s00520-026-10366-x