Clinical trial · Interventional
Connecting Breast Cancer Survivors for Exercise
Connecting Breast Cancer Survivors for Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial Phase I and II
- 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)
Phase 1: The purpose of this study is to examine interpersonal and individual effects of partnering BCS with a peer and a qualified exercise professional (QEP) on self-reported exercise volume (MVPA; primary outcome), and device-measured exercise volume (MVPA; Fitbit), social support, and HRQOL (secondary outcomes). Cost-effectiveness and intervention adherence will also be explored as tertiary outcomes. The effects of a peer and QEP-support intervention group, labelled MatchQEP, will be compared to a control group of BCS who are matched with a peer, but not a QEP, labelled Match. Phase 2: The purpose of this study is to examine whether the addition of 8-weekly QEP-lead resistance training Zoom sessions with an exercise partner interacts with social support (i.e., tangible, informational, emotional) and how this interaction relates to overall exercise volume as an extension of Phase 1 (one year after phase 1 was completed). A secondary aim of Phase 2 is to examine the direct influence of resistance training on body image, self-efficacy, the physical self, and body functionality among the participants.
Conditions
Conditions (2)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer | Malignant Breast Neoplasm | CURATED_EXACT | 0.92 |
| Breast Neoplasms | Breast Neoplasm | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
Interventions
Interventions (3)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Counselling | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Partner Matching | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Resistance training sessions led by a QEP | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- MatchQEP group
- description
- Phase 1: All participants will receive an 'Exercise Peer Support Guide' that provides suggestions for supporting their exercise partner and a one-page document describing current exercise guidelines for cancer survivors \[16-18\]. All participants will also be given a Fitbit device, which will be used for device-measured MVPA. Participants in the MatchQEP group will receive exercise information and program sessions tailored by a qualified exercise professional (QEP) specifically for each BCS in the dyad. Dyads will meet with the QEP via Zoom once per week for 10 weeks for up to 60 minutes. For four weeks following the 10-week intervention period, the QEP will be available for consultation (i.e., a post-intervention tapering period) as needed by the MatchQEP group participants. Phase 2: Was not an RCT (i.e., all Phase 1 participants were approached to participate in Phase 2). Phase 2 is a pre-post intervention design, with no control group.
- interventionNames
- Behavioral: Exercise Counselling
- Behavioral: Partner Matching
- Behavioral: Resistance training sessions led by a QEP
- type
- ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
- label
- Match group
- description
- Phase 1: All participants will receive an 'Exercise Peer Support Guide' that provides suggestions for supporting their exercise partner and a one-page document describing current exercise guidelines for cancer survivors \[16-18\]. All participants will also be given a Fitbit device, which will be used for device-measured MVPA. Participants in the Match (control) group will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for 10 weeks. They will not have any contact with a QEP during this time. Phase 2: Was not an RCT (i.e., all Phase 1 participants were approached to participate in Phase 2). Phase 2 is a pre-post intervention design, with no control group.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- Female
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Phase 1 and phase 2: Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Breast cancer survivors * Stage 1-4 cancer * Aged \>18 years * Have been cleared for exercise * Have consistent access to an Internet-connected device * Currently exercise ≤ 150 minutes per week. Exclusion Criteria: * Report contraindications to exercise such as physical disability * Had recent or planned reconstructive surgery * Have no consistent access to an Internet-connected device * Are currently meeting exercise guidelines (performing \> 150 minutes of moderate-to- vigorous exercise) * Have not been cleared to participate in exercise
References
Publications (2)
- DERIVEDMurray RM, O'Loughlin E, Smith-Turchyn J, Fong AJ, McDonough MH, Mina DS, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Trinh L, Jones JM, Bender JL, Culos-Reed SN, Tomasone JR, Vani MF, Sabiston CM. Connecting women who are diagnosed and treated for breast cancer to engage in physical activity: a two-arm randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Apr 25;17(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01131-4. PMID 40281585
- DERIVEDSmith-Turchyn J, McCowan ME, O'Loughlin E, Fong AJ, McDonough MH, Santa Mina D, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Trinh L, Jones JM, Bender JL, Culos-Reed SN, Tomasone JR, Vani MF, Sabiston CM. Connecting breast cancer survivors for exercise: protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2021 Oct 14;13:128. doi: 10.1186/s13102-021-00341-w. eCollection 2021. PMID 34649590