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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02501460

Impact of Resistance Training-Protein Supplementation on Lean Muscle Mass in Childhood Cancer Survivors

This study is being conducted because low lean muscle mass is prevalent among childhood cancer survivors. Lean muscle is the non-fatty muscle tissue that makes up part of the body's lean body mass. Low lean muscle mass is associated with loss of overall body strength, declining mobility and eventually, loss of independence. Among childhood cancer survivors, low lean muscle mass may contribute to reduced physical functioning and a sense of fatigue with exertion, limiting ability to participate in adequate physical activity. Loss of strength and a sense of fatigue with repeated movement make it difficult to participate in daily activities.

Although there have not been exercise intervention studies among childhood cancer survivors specifically designed to evaluate the effects of resistance training on muscle mass, studies among individuals with chronic disease, including survivors of adult onset cancers, indicate that resistance exercise improves muscle mass, muscle strength, mobility, vitality and physical activity levels. Resistance training (weight lifting) is a form of physical activity that is designed to improve muscular fitness by exercising a muscle or a muscle group against external resistance.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of resistance training combined with either a protein supplement or a sports drink on changes in lean muscle mass in young adults who were treated for childhood cancer. The sports drink, for this study, is considered a placebo.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Behavior Motor Activity Neoplasms

Age range

18 year–44 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States

About this study

This double-blind placebo controlled study will randomize adult survivors of childhood cancer who are 18 to 44 years of age, greater than ten years post first cancer diagnosis, and with low lean muscle mass to two groups: Resistance Training + Supplement (RT+S) or Resistance Training + Placebo (RT+P). Randomization will be stratified by sex and age (18-29 and 30-44 years) in a block size of 4. Three weekly resistance training sessions will occur over a 24 week period. The participants, investigator, trainer and individuals involved in testing will be blind to group assignment.

Participants will receive information about physical activity and its health benefits. They will be randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive individually tailored resistance training three times per week for 24 weeks. One group will receive a protein supplement, while the other group will receive a sports drink (placebo).

To assess outcomes, participants will have the following research tests:

  • Blood will be drawn to assess heart health.
  • Questionnaires will be completed to assess physical activity and health as well as food intake.
  • Blood pressure measurement.
  • Electrocardiogram to assess heart health.
  • Height, weight, waist and hip measurements.
  • Lean muscle mass will be measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan).
  • Muscle strength will be measured by handgrip, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion.
  • Walking speed to determine usual walking speed.
  • Six-minute walk test to determine endurance.
  • Physical activity will be monitored by having the participant complete a survey and wear a small recording device (accelerometer) for seven days.

Study Objectives:

  • To evaluate the effects of 24-week supervised RT+S compared to RT+P on changes in lean muscle mass, muscle strength, walking speed, self-reported exhaustion and physical activity levels among childhood cancer survivors.
  • To evaluate the effects of 24-week supervised RT+S compared to RT+P on changes in blood pressure, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides, abdominal obesity, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and C-reactive protein among childhood cancer survivors.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be enrolled on the SJLIFE protocol at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
  • 18.0-44.99 years of age
  • >10 years post first cancer diagnosis.
  • English speaking.
  • Live within a 45-minute drive of a greater Memphis area ATC Fitness Center
  • Low lean mass defined as either:
  • Age- and sex-specific relative lean muscle mass standard deviation score ≤ -1.0.

OR

  • Body fat content greater than or equal to 25% in males or greater than or equal to 35% in females.

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently pregnant (assessed by serum pregnancy test).
  • Contraindications to resistance training or protein supplementation (e.g. renal) verified by a physician.

Treatment and study plan

Educational handouts

Other

Both groups of participants will receive educational handouts that explain the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans at enrollment.

Other names: guidelines

Resistance training

Other

Individuals in both groups will participate in an individually tailored progressive resistance training program 3 times/week for 24 weeks. During weeks 1-4 participants will be supervised twice a week tapering to once a week in weeks 5-12, every other week in weeks 13-20 and then once a month in weeks 21-24 by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Specialist (trainer).

Adherence: To assure fidelity and safety of the resistance training component of the intervention, participants will initially be supervised more frequently They will complete an exercise log for each of their sessions. As the supervision level for exercise is tapered, participants may receive reminders to exercise and take their supplement/placebo via text, phone, or e-mail as needed.

Other names: exercise

Supplementation

Dietary Supplement

A medical quality protein supplement powder will be mixed with water or a sugar free drink mix to be taken daily within 60 minutes of training on exercise days or mid-morning on non-exercise days.

Other names: protein dietary supplement

Placebo

Other

A placebo that appears to be identical to the medical quality protein supplement powder will be mixed with water or a sugar free drink mix to be taken daily within 60 minutes of training on exercise days or mid-morning on non-exercise days.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in lean muscle mass by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) will be used to determine lean muscle mass. Fat free mass will be measured in the total body scanning mode.

  2. Change in handgrip by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Handgrip strength will be evaluated with a hand held dynamometer.

  3. Change in knee extension by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Knee extension strength will be evaluated with the Biodex System IV dynamometer.

  4. Change in ankle dorsiflexion by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Ankle dorsiflexion strength will be evaluated with the Biodex System IV dynamometer.

  5. Change in walking speed by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Usual walking speed will be evaluated by having participants complete a timed 10 meter walk test.

  6. Change in endurance by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Endurance will be evaluated by having participants complete the six minute walk test in a level of corridor as outlined by the American Thoracic Society.

  7. Change in activity level by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Participants will complete the physical activity monitor (PAM) component of the most recent release of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to measure activity levels. The PAM collects information on intensity and duration of common activities like walking and jogging for seven consecutive days. Participants will receive an accelerometer with written instructions, programmed to begin recording 12:01 a.m. on the day after the baseline assessment (the week before they begin training) and the day after their final training appointment.

  8. Change in blood pressure by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Blood pressure will be evaluated with a sphygmomanometer.

  9. Change in high density lipoprotein by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    High density lipoprotein will be evaluated from fasting blood samples as part of a standard lipid panel.

  10. Change in triglycerides by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Triglycerides will be evaluated from fasting blood samples as part of a standard lipid panel.

  11. Change in abdominal obesity by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Abdominal obesity will be evaluated by measuring waist circumference with a Gulick tape measure to the nearest mm.

  12. Change in fasting glucose by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Glucose level will be measured from fasting blood samples.

  13. Change in fasting insulin by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Insulin level will be measure from fasting blood samples.

  14. Change in C-reactive protein by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Highly sensitive C-reactive protein will be measured from fasting blood samples.

  15. Change in self-reported exhaustion by arm

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks

    Measured using the vitality subscale of the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36), version 2.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • ATC Fitness
  • American Institute for Cancer Research

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jul 17, 2015
Registry last updated
Jul 17, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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