Clinical trial · Interventional
Heavy Strength Training in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Heavy Lifting Strength Training Versus Usual Care in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- 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)
Despite improvements in treatments, head and neck cancer survivors (HNCS) still endure acute and chronic side effects such as loss of muscular strength, limitations in physical functioning, fatigue, and swallowing difficulties that impact quality of life (QoL) and limit return to work. Light-to-moderate intensity strength training (LMST) has been shown to improve some side effects. Heavy lifting strength training (HLST) may further improve outcomes in some populations, however, only one small pilot study has focused on HNCS. The LIFTING 2 trial will be the first to examine the feasibility and effects of a HLST program versus no exercise in HNCS.
Conditions
Conditions (4)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head and Neck Cancer | Malignant Head and Neck Neoplasm | ALIAS | 0.90 |
| Head and Neck Carcinoma | Head and Neck Carcinoma | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
| Head and Neck Neoplasms | Head and Neck Neoplasm | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
| Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
Interventions
Interventions (1)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental | Other | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Exercise Group
- description
- The exercise intervention will consist of 24 supervised, heavy lifting strength training exercise sessions over a 12 week period. The exercise frequency will be two times per week. Main exercises will consist of barbell back squat, bench press, and dead lift.
- interventionNames
- Other: Experimental
- type
- NO_INTERVENTION
- label
- Usual Care Group
- description
- Participants randomized to the usual care group will be asked to continue will their typical daily routine during the 12 week study period, and not begin any new exercise program to increase their exercise levels from baseline. They will not receive any information or education regarding exercise. After the postintervention assessments, participants in the usual care group will be offered a 4-week introduction to heavy lifting strength training program and/or referred to a community-based exercise program
Primary outcomes (5)
- measure
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * males and females, 18 years of age and older * any head and neck cancer subtype, stage, and treatment type * at least 1-year posttreatment with adequate shoulder range of motion (must meet minimum cutpoints for active flexion and abduction to be eligible) * no unmanaged medical conditions, alcohol, or drug abuse * approved for exercise by oncologist and a certified exercise physiologist or kinesiologist * ability to understand and communicate in English Exclusion Criteria: * has met the Canadian Physical Activity strength training guidelines within the past one-month: at least two days per week of muscle and bone strength training activities using major muscle groups * currently involved in a different exercise trial or clinical drug trial
References
Publications (0)
Data not yet available