Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Improving Cognitive Function in Older Adults Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant

Study Description

Brief Summary: Cancer and treatment-related cognitive changes hinder resumption of normal routine and roles and worsen quality of life. Older adults undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at high-risk for cognitive impairment. Physical activity improves cognitive function in older adults and survivors of other cancers. We hypothesize that increasing physical activity can also improve cognitive function in this vulnerable population. The objective of this research is to adapt and test an evidence-based physical activity intervention, The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors II (CHAMPS II), in the HCT setting for adults 60 years and older. Aim 1: Adapt the CHAMPS-II manual and develop study materials using feedback from up to 10 patient/care-partner dyads who have experienced the HCT process within the last 3-6 months and HCT team members via semi-structured interviews. Aim 2: Iteratively adapt and implement CHAMPS-II intervention in three waves (2-6 patient/care-partner dyads per wave). The dyads will participate in a multi-phase, light to moderate-intensity physical activity program through Day 100 post-HCT. Aim 3: Test the preliminary effectiveness of the adapted intervention to improve cognitive function compared to a wait-list control condition (N = 34 per group) in a 2-arm, pilot randomized controlled trial. Primary and secondary outcomes will include subjective and objective cognitive function using a short battery of neuropsychological tests and a self-report questionnaire. Tertiary outcomes comprise subjective and objective measures of physical activity behavior and physical function. The RE-AIM framework will be utilized for formative and process evaluation during the adaptation process and implementation of the intervention.

Detailed Description: Hematologic malignancies are diseases that primarily affect older adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative and life-prolonging treatment for patients with hematologic malignancies. Cancer and treatment-related cognitive changes cause distress, hinder resumption of normal routine and roles, and worsen quality of life. HCT differs from the delivery of chemotherapy in other cancer settings due to the intensity of chemotherapy and severity of toxicity. Older adults undergoing HCT are at high risk for cognitive decline and pervasive cognitive deficits. Interventions to improve cognitive outcomes are needed. The prevalence and risk of cognitive decline post-HCT are greater for older adults because of a greater number of existing health conditions (i.e., vascular disease) and impaired physical and psychologic function pre-HCT that can be exacerbated by treatment and the overall HCT experience. Exercise training improves cancer-related health outcomes, including cardiorespiratory fitness, inflammation, cancer related fatigue, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance. There is consistent evidence showing that physical activity improves cognitive function in older adults and survivors of other cancers. Improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, brain structure, and inflammation underlie the mechanisms of the cognitive benefits of physical activity. While untested in older adults undergoing HCT, the investigator hypothesizes that increasing physical activity can also improve cognitive function in this vulnerable population. Physical activity improves the cognitive domains most affected by cancer treatment, namely executive function and working memory. Cognitive function is an important outcome to older adults and has not been a focus of physical activity interventions in the HCT population. In addition, older adults are underrepresented in previous physical activity interventions in the HCT population. The researcher will adapt CHAMPS II, an evidence-based physical activity intervention, to the HCT setting for older adults to improve cognitive function. CHAMPS II increased physical activity in sedentary older adults with multiple chronic health conditions. This is an individually tailored program that provides information, skills, training, and problem-solving support to older adults. The program provides a foundation for application by including an instructor manual and directions for implementation. CHAMPS-II has been adapted and implemented in diverse communities using existing resources and improving contextual factors to increase physical activity for sedentary older adults. Adaptation of evidence-based interventions, such as CHAMPS-II, can result in an attenuation of effects if the core components are not maintained. However, adaptations can be made to fit the needs and priorities of the service setting, target audience, mode of delivery, and cultural context without compromising CHAMPS-II effectiveness. Through a research-practice partnership approach, the research team will help adapt the program while maintaining the core components of CHAMPS-II, develop new program materials, provide training, monitor implementation, and conduct program evaluation. The overarching goal is to enable HCT team members to implement CHAMPS-II and leverage existing organizational resources to enhance feasibility and sustainability. The research plan proposes a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, which is a design that spans the effectiveness and implementation research to accelerate the translation of physical activity interventions into practice for older adults with cancer. This novel trial design will allow testing of the program within a randomized clinical trial methodology while observing and gathering information on implementation. The effectiveness study condition offers an ideal opportunity to examine implementation issues and plan for implementation strategies for a future study that examines both effectiveness and implementation strategies. The study will use the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework for planning and formative and process evaluation of the intervention. Formative and process evaluation provides information needed to evaluate an intervention's potential for translation into clinical practice.

Keywords

Eligibility

Minimum Age: 60 Years

Eligible Ages: ADULT, OLDER_ADULT

Sex: ALL

Healthy Volunteers: No

Locations

Contact Details

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