CancerNCT05549479
Virtual Peer-support Exercise Intervention for Older Adults with Cancer
A study testing Peer Matching and Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions in people with Cancer and Aging, run by McMaster University at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- What is being tested?
- Peer Matching and Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2022to 15 Oct 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- English speaking
- Older adult (>60 years)
- Living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis (any type or stage of cancer at any stage of treatment)
- Living in Canada
- Medically cleared for exercise
- Have consistent access to an internet-connected device with webcam
- Currently take part in less than 150 minutes of MVPA per week
Who cannot join
- Self-report any contraindications to exercise
- Had recent (in the last 4 weeks) or have planned surgery of any kind (including reconstructive surgery) in the next 3 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Virtual Peer-support Exercise Intervention for Older Adults with Cancer
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.
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
METHODS
Research Questions:
Research Question 1 (primary). Is a virtually-delivered, peer matching exercise intervention supported by qualified exercise professionals (QEP) feasible for older adult cancer survivors? Research Question 2. Do older adult cancer survivors who participate in a virtually-delivered peer matching exercise intervention with QEP support have improved levels of social support compared to those matched with a peer only? Research Question 3. Do older adult cancer survivors who participate in a virtually-delivered peer matching exercise intervention with QEP support have improved levels of physical activity behaviour, health-related quality of life and physical functioning compared to those who are matched with a peer only?
Study Design:
This is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. The protocol and study methods adhere to the CONSORT extension for randomized pilot trials. The Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board will approve this study. Dyads will be randomized (1:1) to the Intervention (AgeMatchPLUS) or control (AgeMatch) groups prior to baseline assessment. Group allocation will be centrally randomized using a web platform (https://www.randomizer.org/) by a graduate student external to the research team. A Research Assistant will assign group allocation in the order participants complete an initial demographics questionnaire and are matched with a peer for the study.
Intervention:
Peer Matching. A Research Assistant will match all participants into dyads based on evidence-informed criteria. To be matched, females must be in the same time zone and diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Matched peers will be introduced to each other by a Research Assistant via zoom after baseline data collection. All participants will be given a peer support guide that provides tips for supporting their exercise partner, an infographic on exercise guidelines for older cancer survivors and a Fitbit Inspire 2©. Partners will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for the duration of the study.
Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). This group will have dyads participate in weekly virtual sessions with a QEP for 10 weeks. Each session will last up to 1 hour. The QEP (i.e., registered kinesiologist) will provide a tailored exercise program, focusing on aerobic activity with both participants in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, current fitness level, and personal preferences. Overall, content discussed at the sessions will include a review of the exercise program, barriers to exercise participation, achievement of goals, and adverse events. For four weeks following the 10-week intervention, the QEP will be available for consultation (labelled "tapering" period) as needed by participants in this group. This tapering period is important to understand strategies to successfully taper older adults from an exercise trial. Also, during the tapering period, participants in this group will receive two supportive emails from the QEP encouraging ongoing maintenance of exercise and social support.
Control Condition (AgeMatch): Dyads in this group will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for 10 weeks. They will not have contact with the QEP during the intervention or tapering period and will structure their communication (mode and frequency) with their matched peer.
- Being tested
- Peer Matching, Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Peer MatchingBehavioural
Participants will be matched with a peer based on evidence informed criteria. Partners will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for the duration of the study.
Qualified Exercise Professional Support SessionsBehavioural
Dyads will participate in weekly virtual sessions with a QEP for 10 weeks. Each session will last up to 1 hour. The QEP (i.e., registered kinesiologist) will provide a tailored exercise program, focusing on aerobic activity for both individuals in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, current fitness level (consistent with home-based exercise strategies), and personal preferences.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Peer Matching; Behavioral: Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions |
| Control Condition (AgeMatch): | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Peer Matching |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recruitment rate
The percentage of eligible individuals who expressed interest in the study that enrolled
Measured: 10 weeks
Retention rate
The percentage of enrolled participants who completed the intervention
Measured: 10 weeks
Adherence rate
The percentage of total sessions attended and tracked using weekly logs
Measured: 10 weeks
Participant Satisfaction
7 points Likert satisfaction scale
Measured: 10 weeks
Secondary outcomes (16)
Exercise volume
Fitbit Inspire
Measured: 10 weeks
Exercise volume
Fitbit Inspire
Measured: 14 weeks
Exercise volume
Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (higher scores represent higher volume of exercise)
Measured: 10 weeks
Exercise volume
Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (higher scores represent higher volume of exercise)
Measured: 14 weeks
Social support
Social Support Survey (0-7 scale; higher scores indicate higher levels of social support)
Measured: 10 weeks
Social support
Social Support Survey (0-7 scale; higher scores indicate higher levels of social support)
Measured: 14 weeks
Health-related quality of life
Eq-5d-3L (5 dimensions each with a 3 level scale; lower scores indicate higher levels of quality of life)
Measured: 10 weeks
Health-related quality of life
Eq-5d-3L (5 dimensions each with a 3 level scale; lower scores indicate higher levels of quality of life)
Measured: 14 weeks
Self-report physical functioning
Patient Specific Functional Scale (10 point scale; higher scores represent higher quality of life)
Measured: 10 weeks
Self-report physical functioning
Patient Specific Functional Scale (10 point scale; higher scores represent higher quality of life)
Measured: 14 weeks
Sub-max aerobic capacity
Six minute walk test
Measured: 10 weeks
Sub-max aerobic Capacity
Six minute walk test
Measured: 14 weeks
Physical functioning
30 second sit to stand
Measured: 10 weeks
Physical functioning
30 second sit to stand
Measured: 14 weeks
Enjoyment of performing physical activity
Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (7 point scale for each item; higher overall scores indicate higher enjoyment of physical activity)
Measured: 10 weeks
Enjoyment of performing physical activity
Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (7 point scale for each item; higher overall scores indicate higher enjoyment of physical activity)
Measured: 14 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Sep 2022
- Study start1 Dec 2022
- Primary completion15 Oct 2024
- Study completion15 Oct 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by McMaster UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- McMaster University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05549479
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- JST-3
- Status last verified
- Jan 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Aug 2022
- Last updated
- 21 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin E, Innes A, Richardson J, Pillips S, Beauchamp M, Thabane L, Wrosch C, Sabiston CM. 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. Support Care Cancer. 2026 Feb 11;34(3):186. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10366-x.
PubMed 41673350Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin EK, Innes A, Vani MF, Beauchamp M, Phillips SM, Richardson J, Thabane L, Sabiston CM. A pilot randomized controlled trial of a virtual peer-support exercise intervention for female older adults with cancer. BMC Geriatr. 2024 Oct 26;24(1):887. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05495-z.
PubMed 39462335
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Virtual Peer-support Exercise Intervention for Older Adults with Cancer
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05549479
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- JST-3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- McMaster UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
METHODS
Research Questions:
Research Question 1 (primary). Is a virtually-delivered, peer matching exercise intervention supported by qualified exercise professionals (QEP) feasible for older adult cancer survivors? Research Question 2. Do older adult cancer survivors who participate in a virtually-delivered peer matching exercise intervention with QEP support have improved levels of social support compared to those matched with a peer only? Research Question 3. Do older adult cancer survivors who participate in a virtually-delivered peer matching exercise intervention with QEP support have improved levels of physical activity behaviour, health-related quality of life and physical functioning compared to those who are matched with a peer only?
Study Design:
This is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. The protocol and study methods adhere to the CONSORT extension for randomized pilot trials. The Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board will approve this study. Dyads will be randomized (1:1) to the Intervention (AgeMatchPLUS) or control (AgeMatch) groups prior to baseline assessment. Group allocation will be centrally randomized using a web platform (https://www.randomizer.org/) by a graduate student external to the research team. A Research Assistant will assign group allocation in the order participants complete an initial demographics questionnaire and are matched with a peer for the study.
Intervention:
Peer Matching. A Research Assistant will match all participants into dyads based on evidence-informed criteria. To be matched, females must be in the same time zone and diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Matched peers will be introduced to each other by a Research Assistant via zoom after baseline data collection. All participants will be given a peer support guide that provides tips for supporting their exercise partner, an infographic on exercise guidelines for older cancer survivors and a Fitbit Inspire 2©. Partners will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for the duration of the study.
Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). This group will have dyads participate in weekly virtual sessions with a QEP for 10 weeks. Each session will last up to 1 hour. The QEP (i.e., registered kinesiologist) will provide a tailored exercise program, focusing on aerobic activity with both participants in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, current fitness level, and personal preferences. Overall, content discussed at the sessions will include a review of the exercise program, barriers to exercise participation, achievement of goals, and adverse events. For four weeks following the 10-week intervention, the QEP will be available for consultation (labelled "tapering" period) as needed by participants in this group. This tapering period is important to understand strategies to successfully taper older adults from an exercise trial. Also, during the tapering period, participants in this group will receive two supportive emails from the QEP encouraging ongoing maintenance of exercise and social support.
Control Condition (AgeMatch): Dyads in this group will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for 10 weeks. They will not have contact with the QEP during the intervention or tapering period and will structure their communication (mode and frequency) with their matched peer.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). | Experimental | Behavioral: Peer Matching, Behavioral: Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions |
| Control Condition (AgeMatch): | Active comparator | Behavioral: Peer Matching |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- English speaking
- Older adult (>60 years)
- Living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis (any type or stage of cancer at any stage of treatment)
- Living in Canada
- Medically cleared for exercise
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Self-report any contraindications to exercise
- Had recent (in the last 4 weeks) or have planned surgery of any kind (including reconstructive surgery) in the next 3 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Peer MatchingParticipants will be matched with a peer based on evidence informed criteria. Partners will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for the duration of the study. | Behavioural | Control Condition (AgeMatch):, Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). |
| Qualified Exercise Professional Support SessionsDyads will participate in weekly virtual sessions with a QEP for 10 weeks. Each session will last up to 1 hour. The QEP (i.e., registered kinesiologist) will provide a tailored exercise program, focusing on aerobic activity for both individuals in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, current fitness level (consistent with home-based exercise strategies), and personal preferences. | Behavioural | Intervention Group (AgeMatchPLUS). |
Primary outcome
Recruitment rate
Time frame: 10 weeks
The percentage of eligible individuals who expressed interest in the study that enrolled
Retention rate
Time frame: 10 weeks
The percentage of enrolled participants who completed the intervention
Adherence rate
Time frame: 10 weeks
The percentage of total sessions attended and tracked using weekly logs
Participant Satisfaction
Time frame: 10 weeks
7 points Likert satisfaction scale
16 secondary outcomes
Exercise volume
Time frame: 10 weeks
Exercise volume
Time frame: 14 weeks
Exercise volume
Time frame: 10 weeks
Exercise volume
Time frame: 14 weeks
Social support
Time frame: 10 weeks
Social support
Time frame: 14 weeks
Health-related quality of life
Time frame: 10 weeks
Health-related quality of life
Time frame: 14 weeks
Self-report physical functioning
Time frame: 10 weeks
Self-report physical functioning
Time frame: 14 weeks
Sub-max aerobic capacity
Time frame: 10 weeks
Sub-max aerobic Capacity
Time frame: 14 weeks
Physical functioning
Time frame: 10 weeks
Physical functioning
Time frame: 14 weeks
Enjoyment of performing physical activity
Time frame: 10 weeks
Enjoyment of performing physical activity
Time frame: 14 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Feb 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41673350Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin E, Innes A, Richardson J, Pillips S, Beauchamp M, Thabane L, Wrosch C, Sabiston CM. 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. Support Care Cancer. 2026 Feb 11;34(3):186. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10366-x.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39462335Smith-Turchyn J, Sinclair S, O'Loughlin EK, Innes A, Vani MF, Beauchamp M, Phillips SM, Richardson J, Thabane L, Sabiston CM. A pilot randomized controlled trial of a virtual peer-support exercise intervention for female older adults with cancer. BMC Geriatr. 2024 Oct 26;24(1):887. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05495-z.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Cancer
Not yet recruiting
Using e-Technologies to Maximize Physical Activity After Cancer Treatment
Cancer
RecruitingPhase 1
IL-12 Genetically Engineered Myeloid Cells in Participants With Relapsed, Refractory Solid Tumors
Relapsed Solid Tumor Malignancies, Refractory Solid Tumor Malignancies
RecruitingObservational study
Pharmacogenetic Determinants Of Treatment Response In Children
All Malignancies, Children Being Treated for Catastrophic Illness
RecruitingObservational study
Cancer in Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
Diamond Blackfan Anemia, Dyskeratosis Congenita
RecruitingObservational study
Collection of CSF Samples From Participants With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and HER2+ Breast Cancer With no Prior History Nor Active Radiographically Detectable Brain Metastases
Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Peer Matching and Qualified Exercise Professional Support Sessions in people with Cancer and Aging, run by McMaster University at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Recruitment rate (time frame: 10 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05549479, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Feb 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.