Clinical trial · Interventional
Aerobic Exercise and Tai-chi Interventions for Improving Survival in Lung Cancer Patients
Improving Survival in Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Aerobic Exercise and Tai-chi Interventions
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
This proposed study aims to examine the effect of classical aerobic exercise or tai-chi on 1-year survival rate of lung cancer patients compared to usual care, as a primary outcome of this study. To understand the hypothesized outcomes of improved survival of lung cancer patients through physical exercise or tai-chi practice intervention, we will examine the changes in some subjective psychosocial outcomes and objective biomarkers that may be associated with the survival of cancer patients, as the secondary outcome of this study. Those biomarkers will be in following aspects: 1.) circadian rhythm, 2.) cardio-respiratory fitness, and 3.) immune functions. Secondary outcome measures include: quality of life, psychological distress, quality of sleep, fatigue, level of physical activity, circadian rhythms, cardio-respiratory fitness, physical functioning tests and immune function. The pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the trial so that the main study will have a higher chance of success.
Conditions
Conditions (1)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung Cancer Patients | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Tai-Chi | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (3)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Exercise intervention
- description
- Exercise class will run twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants will be encouraged to maintain their exercise beyond the intervention. An exercise trainer will lead the classes. The main activity of the classes includes aerobic exercises of walking on treadmill, or out-doors depending on group preference and weather, at a set pace individually tailored for moderate intensity of exercise, determined by baseline physical functioning assessment and modified based on Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE), or cycling on a stationary bike, using a set resistance to the physical functioning assessment and RPE. A set of four strengthening exercises are included in one of the exercise classes each week. These exercises are chosen to increase strength in the leg, arm, abdomen and improve trunk stability. Weights for the strengthening exercise will be set to give participants a moderate level of intensity of exercise.
- interventionNames
- Behavioral: Exercise
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Tai-chi intervention
- description
- The classes will run twice a week for 12 weeks with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Classes will be taught by an experienced tai-chi master, who will explain the theory behind tai-chi and the principles of the techniques. The supervised session includes a warm up, self-massage and a guided run through of the movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation in tai-chi. The tai-chi master will guide participants to practice the tai-chi they learn in the classes at home each day. Upon completion of the 12 weeks course, participants will be encouraged to continue their tai-chi practice, given guidance on local services and programmes they may join if they wish to.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who are diagnosed of stage IIIB, or IV non-small-cell lung cancer confirmed by pathology 2. Patients are not currently engaged in other research or participant in any other exercise or mind-body classes 3. Patients aged 18 years old, or above 4. Patients who can communicate in Cantonese, Mandarin or English 5. Patients with no other cancer diagnosis within the previous 1 year 6. Patients report not doing regular exercises (defined \<150 min of moderate-intensity exercise weekly) in daily living, but are able to attend either exercise or tai-chi classes at scheduled times 7. Patients being conscious and alert. Exclusion Criteria: Patients suffering from a diagnosed active neurological, substance abuse and /or psychiatric disorders (i.e. depression, chronic insomnia) will be excluded.
References
Publications (7)
- BACKGROUNDFong DY, Ho JW, Hui BP, Lee AM, Macfarlane DJ, Leung SS, Cerin E, Chan WY, Leung IP, Lam SH, Taylor AJ, Cheng KK. Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2012 Jan 30;344:e70. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e70. PMID 22294757
- BACKGROUNDMustian KM, Katula JA, Gill DL, Roscoe JA, Lang D, Murphy K. Tai Chi Chuan, health-related quality of life and self-esteem: a randomized trial with breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2004 Dec;12(12):871-6. doi: 10.1007/s00520-004-0682-6. Epub 2004 Sep 30. PMID 15599776
- BACKGROUNDSui X, Lee DC, Matthews CE, Adams SA, Hebert JR, Church TS, Lee CD, Blair SN. Influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on lung cancer mortality. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 May;42(5):872-8. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c47b65. PMID 19996990
- BACKGROUNDChen HM, Tsai CM, Wu YC, Lin KC, Lin CC. Effect of walking on circadian rhythms and sleep quality of patients with lung cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Cancer. 2016 Nov 22;115(11):1304-1312. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2016.356. Epub 2016 Nov 3. PMID 27811855
- BACKGROUNDChen HM, Tsai CM, Wu YC, Lin KC, Lin CC. Randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of home-based walking exercise on anxiety, depression and cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer. Br J Cancer. 2015 Feb 3;112(3):438-45. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.612. Epub 2014 Dec 9. PMID 25490525
- DERIVEDCheung DST, Takemura N, Lam TC, Ho JCM, Deng W, Smith R, Yan Y, Lee AWM, Lin CC. Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise and Tai-Chi Interventions in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021 Jan-Dec;20:15347354211033352. doi: 10.1177/15347354211033352. PMID 34549648
- DERIVEDTakemura N, Cheung DST, Fong DYT, Lee AWM, Lam TC, Ho JC, Kam TY, Chik JYK, Lin CC. Relationship of subjective and objective sleep measures with physical performance in advanced-stage lung cancer patients. Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 26;11(1):17208. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-96481-7.