search
Back to results

Project HERO: Health Empowerment & Recovery Outcomes (HERO)

Primary Purpose

Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer

Status
Active
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Body Mind Training (BMT)
Body Training (BT):
Usual Care (UC)
Sponsored by
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional supportive care trial for Prostate Cancer focused on measuring Prostate Cancer, Fatigue, Elderly, Supportive Care, Light Exercise, Quality of Life, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Colon Cancer, Rectum Cancer, Throid Cancer, Lung Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, Soft Tissue Cancer

Eligibility Criteria

55 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)MaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 55 years
  • Previous diagnosis of local, regional, or metastatic cancer. If treated for cancer, prostate cancer therapy completed, 3+ months If on ADT/ hormone manipulation, must be for 4 or more month
  • Previous diagnosis of small intestine, thyroid, oral, non-muscle invasive bladder, kidney/renal, lung, colon, rectum, soft tissue, or other cancer
  • Meet study criteria for fatigue (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv4.0)) using a fatigue cut-off value of ≥1 or a general fatigue grading scale (i.e., fatigue currently and in the past week from a scale of 0-100) with a cut-off value of >20
  • Live within 75 miles of New Brunswick or Newark
  • Inactive (<150 minutes of vigorous exercise/week within the past 3 months)
  • Has transportation to attend on-site classes and assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 Score >12
  • Indication of suicidality from PHQ-9, reports that he has several or more days of "thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself"
  • Karnofsky performance status score of 50 or below
  • Current regular practice within the past year (2-3 times a week over a period of two months that is not interrupted) of BMT or other complementary and alternative medicine that shares similar principles of BMT.
  • Inability to speak and read English proficiently
  • Unable to understand informed consent
  • Current health conditions that may interfere with the intervention: respiratory, cardiovascular, or neurological problems unless released by physician
  • Medical conditions or activities that can cause severe fatigue: Severe hearing loss that would cause difficulty following an instructor in a group setting, chronic fatigue syndrome, current major depression, alcohol use disorder, shift work
  • Prostate cancer that has metastasized to the liver, brain, or lungs
  • Currently receiving chemotherapy with VePesid, Cytoxan, Enzalutamide (XTANDI®), intravenous chemotherapy or radionucleotides (Strontium-89, Samarium (Quadramet®), Radium-223 (Xofigo®)), or other therapy (as confirmed by study team)
  • Unwilling to be randomized to study arms and/or commit to 12 weeks of classes and assessments
  • Have had a diagnosis of another cancer, unless:

    • Non-melanoma skin cancer, or
    • Completed treatment AND cancer-free for 5 or more years.

We will not include any of the following special populations:

  • Adults unable to consent
  • Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
  • Pregnant women
  • Prisoners

Sites / Locations

  • Rutgers University

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm Type

Experimental

Active Comparator

Other

Arm Label

Body Mind Training (BMT)

Body Training (BT)

Usual care (UC):

Arm Description

Body mind training

Body training only

Control

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale
Change in fatigue levels over time: measured with 13-item scale assessing the level of fatigue during usual activities over the 7 days prior to the measurement timepoint, with higher scores indicating less fatigue. Administered at several time points to measure the effect the intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Berlin Sleep Questionnaire
Questionnaire: consists of 3 categories related to the risk of having sleep apnea. Patients can be classified into High Risk or Low Risk based on their responses to the individual items and their overall scores in the symptom categories.
Inflammation Biology Measures: Changes in circulating levels pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers will be assessed by measuring NF-κB and AP-1.
Blood samples will be collected at using standardized procedures. The dynamics of inflammation will be measured by using a vertically integrated mechanistic approach and examining upstream signaling pathways and circulating levels. Circulating levels will be assessed by assay of plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers; Inflammatory signaling as indexed by activation of key inflammatory transcription factors (e.g., NF-κB) will be measured using intranuclear staining and flow cytometric analyses. Genome-wide transcriptional analyses (all baseline and 13-week biospecimens) will be used to identify the differential regulation of gene expression and the molecular inflammation-related signaling pathways that are plausible candidates driving these changes (e.g., NF-κB).
Gene Expression
Specimen collection and analysis to measure mRNA intercorrelations: 1) Inflammation, Vasodilation, and Metabolite Sensing and 2) Energy and Adrenergic Activation.
Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18)
Questionnaire: Psychological distress (depression and anxiety) is measured using the using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 instrument. Items are summed to calculate the raw score, range 0-72. Raw scores can be converted to T-scores, based on US population norms. Participants with T-scores that are ≥ 63 are considered a "case," and may need professional help. Somatization Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high somatization. Depression Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high depression. Anxiety Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high anxiety.
SF-36v2 Health-Related Quality of Life Survey (Mental and Physical)
Questionnaire: Provides scores for each of the eight health domains and psychometrically-based physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. The raw score of each of the eight SF-36 dimensions was derived by summing the item scores. Subtract the lowest possible raw score from the actual raw score, divide by the possibly raw score range, and multiply by 100 to get the transformed scale. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.
Consensus Sleep Diary
The sleep diary is designed to gather information about daily sleep patterns. Sleep diary is maintained for 7 days prior to each data collection time point.

Full Information

First Posted
November 6, 2017
Last Updated
July 25, 2023
Sponsor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Collaborators
University of California, Los Angeles, University of New Mexico
search

1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03345563
Brief Title
Project HERO: Health Empowerment & Recovery Outcomes
Acronym
HERO
Official Title
Biobehavioral Effects of Body Mind Training (BMT) for Male Cancer Cancer Survivors With Fatigue (HERO)
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
July 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Active, not recruiting
Study Start Date
July 19, 2019 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
April 30, 2024 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
December 31, 2030 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Collaborators
University of California, Los Angeles, University of New Mexico

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Project HERO is a 12-week study of the efficacy of Body Mind Training (BMT) for reducing fatigue in male cancer survivors. This 3-arm randomized clinical trial will examine inflammatory biology and selected gene-expression pathways that are hypothesized to contribute to the intervention's effect.
Detailed Description
This study will establish the efficacy of a 12-week Body Mind Training (BMT) for reductions in fatigue (the study's primary outcome). Secondary patient-reported outcomes include quality of life changes (e.g. changes in sleep and perceived psychological distress), changes in the biomarkers of inflammation; including genome wide transcriptional factors, and expression of fatigue-related genes. There are over 9 million cancer survivors that are 55 years of age or older. Cancer survivors in this age group have unique challenges coping with late and long-term effects of having had a cancer diagnosis and treatment, coupled with age-related declines and comorbidities. This may influence their ability to engage in lifestyle interventions because of slower post-treatment recovery, increased functional limitations, and other quality of life (QOL) impairments. Fatigue is common, under-recognized, undertreated and correlated with impairments in psychological distress, social and functional well-being and health-related QOL in cancer survivors. For male cancer survivors suffering from fatigue, body-mind training (BMT) may be more appealing because it is not overly physically exertive and is safe for people 55 years of age or older.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Colon Cancer, Rectum Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Lung Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, Soft Tissue Cancer
Keywords
Prostate Cancer, Fatigue, Elderly, Supportive Care, Light Exercise, Quality of Life, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Colon Cancer, Rectum Cancer, Throid Cancer, Lung Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, Soft Tissue Cancer

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
After obtaining informed consent and baseline assessments, 210 fatigued cancer survivors age 55 years and older will be randomized to the BMT arm or intensity-matched Body Training (BT), or Usual Care (UC) arms. Patient-reported assessments (surveys) will occur at baseline (within 2-weeks pre- intervention), mid-intervention (6 weeks), 1-week post-intervention (13 weeks), and at 3 months and 12 months post-intervention. Phlebotomy is done at baseline, 1 week post intervention (13 weeks), and 3 months and 12 months post intervention. Dietary assessments are done at baseline, and week 13 (1 week post intervention), 3 months and 1 year post-intervention. Physical activity is assessed weekly throughout the intervention. Sleep diaries are collected at all time points.
Masking
Care ProviderOutcomes Assessor
Masking Description
Participants will be instructed not to discuss their arm assignment with study personnel during their assessments; questionnaires will be self-administered, administered in person or by telephone based on participant need and preference. Some investigators, the data manager, biostatisticians, biometric testing and lab technicians will be blinded to intervention allocation. The technicians who analyze biospecimens will be blinded to all other data.
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
114 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Body Mind Training (BMT)
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Body mind training
Arm Title
Body Training (BT)
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
Body training only
Arm Title
Usual care (UC):
Arm Type
Other
Arm Description
Control
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
Body Mind Training (BMT)
Intervention Description
Participants will practice BMT under the instruction of a BMT instructor. There will be 24 sessions. Each session will last 60 minutes and will occur twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session will include both light physical exercise and mind training. Sessions will be supplemented with home-based practice using an instructional DVD and handouts. Participants will be instructed to practice at least 30 minutes a day (at least 3 days per week) throughout the intervention and post-intervention period.
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
Body Training (BT):
Intervention Description
Participants will practice BT under the instruction of a BT instructor. There will be 24 sessions. Each session will last 60 minutes and will occur twice a week for 12 weeks. Sessions will be supplemented with home-based practice using an instructional DVD and handouts. Participants will be instructed to practice at least 30 minutes a day (at least 3 days per week) throughout the intervention and post-intervention period.
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
Usual Care (UC)
Intervention Description
Participants in the usual care arm will receive care as normal and will not attend classes but will complete the same assessments as participants in the BMT and BT classes.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale
Description
Change in fatigue levels over time: measured with 13-item scale assessing the level of fatigue during usual activities over the 7 days prior to the measurement timepoint, with higher scores indicating less fatigue. Administered at several time points to measure the effect the intervention.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention) and week 6, and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Berlin Sleep Questionnaire
Description
Questionnaire: consists of 3 categories related to the risk of having sleep apnea. Patients can be classified into High Risk or Low Risk based on their responses to the individual items and their overall scores in the symptom categories.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention) and week 6, and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Title
Inflammation Biology Measures: Changes in circulating levels pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers will be assessed by measuring NF-κB and AP-1.
Description
Blood samples will be collected at using standardized procedures. The dynamics of inflammation will be measured by using a vertically integrated mechanistic approach and examining upstream signaling pathways and circulating levels. Circulating levels will be assessed by assay of plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers; Inflammatory signaling as indexed by activation of key inflammatory transcription factors (e.g., NF-κB) will be measured using intranuclear staining and flow cytometric analyses. Genome-wide transcriptional analyses (all baseline and 13-week biospecimens) will be used to identify the differential regulation of gene expression and the molecular inflammation-related signaling pathways that are plausible candidates driving these changes (e.g., NF-κB).
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention), and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Title
Gene Expression
Description
Specimen collection and analysis to measure mRNA intercorrelations: 1) Inflammation, Vasodilation, and Metabolite Sensing and 2) Energy and Adrenergic Activation.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention), and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Title
Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18)
Description
Questionnaire: Psychological distress (depression and anxiety) is measured using the using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 instrument. Items are summed to calculate the raw score, range 0-72. Raw scores can be converted to T-scores, based on US population norms. Participants with T-scores that are ≥ 63 are considered a "case," and may need professional help. Somatization Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high somatization. Depression Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high depression. Anxiety Scale: Raw score range 0-24, with 24 indicating high anxiety.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention) and week 6, and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Title
SF-36v2 Health-Related Quality of Life Survey (Mental and Physical)
Description
Questionnaire: Provides scores for each of the eight health domains and psychometrically-based physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. The raw score of each of the eight SF-36 dimensions was derived by summing the item scores. Subtract the lowest possible raw score from the actual raw score, divide by the possibly raw score range, and multiply by 100 to get the transformed scale. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention) and week 6, and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months
Title
Consensus Sleep Diary
Description
The sleep diary is designed to gather information about daily sleep patterns. Sleep diary is maintained for 7 days prior to each data collection time point.
Time Frame
Baseline (2 weeks pre-intervention) and week 6, and post-intervention at week 13, 3 months, and 12 months

10. Eligibility

Sex
Male
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
55 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria: Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 55 years Previous diagnosis of local, regional, or metastatic cancer. If treated for cancer, prostate cancer therapy completed, 3+ months If on ADT/ hormone manipulation, must be for 4 or more month Previous diagnosis of small intestine, thyroid, oral, non-muscle invasive bladder, kidney/renal, lung, colon, rectum, soft tissue, or other cancer Meet study criteria for fatigue (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv4.0)) using a fatigue cut-off value of ≥1 or a general fatigue grading scale (i.e., fatigue currently and in the past week from a scale of 0-100) with a cut-off value of >20 Live within 75 miles of New Brunswick or Newark Inactive (<150 minutes of vigorous exercise/week within the past 3 months) Has transportation to attend on-site classes and assessments Exclusion Criteria: Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 Score >12 Indication of suicidality from PHQ-9, reports that he has several or more days of "thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself" Karnofsky performance status score of 50 or below Current regular practice within the past year (2-3 times a week over a period of two months that is not interrupted) of BMT or other complementary and alternative medicine that shares similar principles of BMT. Inability to speak and read English proficiently Unable to understand informed consent Current health conditions that may interfere with the intervention: respiratory, cardiovascular, or neurological problems unless released by physician Medical conditions or activities that can cause severe fatigue: Severe hearing loss that would cause difficulty following an instructor in a group setting, chronic fatigue syndrome, current major depression, alcohol use disorder, shift work Prostate cancer that has metastasized to the liver, brain, or lungs Currently receiving chemotherapy with VePesid, Cytoxan, Enzalutamide (XTANDI®), intravenous chemotherapy or radionucleotides (Strontium-89, Samarium (Quadramet®), Radium-223 (Xofigo®)), or other therapy (as confirmed by study team) Unwilling to be randomized to study arms and/or commit to 12 weeks of classes and assessments Have had a diagnosis of another cancer, unless: Non-melanoma skin cancer, or Completed treatment AND cancer-free for 5 or more years. We will not include any of the following special populations: Adults unable to consent Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) Pregnant women Prisoners
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Anita Y Kinney, PhD, RN
Organizational Affiliation
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Michael R. Irwin, MD
Organizational Affiliation
University of California, Los Angeles
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Rutgers University
City
New Brunswick
State/Province
New Jersey
ZIP/Postal Code
08901
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No

Learn more about this trial

Project HERO: Health Empowerment & Recovery Outcomes

We'll reach out to this number within 24 hrs