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NCT Number: NCT02844504

Neurophysiological Evaluation of Training Effect on Cancer-Related Weakness

Breast cancer patients often suffer from long-term physical symptoms of weakness. In this study, investigators propose to compare how two different low intensity physical exercise training programs can improve handgrip strength for breast cancer patients with symptoms of weakness. Using brain imaging, the study will also investigate changes in brain structure, and muscle activity associated with handgrip.

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Key information

Conditions

Breast Cancer Breast Diseases Breast Neoplasms Fatigue Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

40 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, United States

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About this study

Participants will be randomized to either a no treatment group or one of two low intensity 6-week exercise training. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-intervention and 4 weeks post intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Female aged 40-75 yrs
  • Right handed, as determined by the Edinburgh Inventory (Oldfield, 1971)
  • Proficient in English
  • Must be available for the familiarization, and testing sessions

Exclusion criteria

  • Symptoms for mild or severe depression as determined by a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) score >14
  • Significant cognitive impairments as defined by a score <28 in the Folstein Mini-Mental Screening Examination (MMSE, Folstein et al .1975).
  • Participated in any type of motor imagery or strength training program in the last 5 years, or plan to start any motor imagery or physical strength training program for the 3 months duration of the study
  • Neurological, psychiatric, musculoskeletal or other types of disorder that may affect participants sensorimotor function and cognitive abilities
  • Current medication believed to affect cognitive/psychomotor function (i.e., opioid, analgesics, anxiolytics or antidepressants)
  • History of alcohol, smoking, and drug abuse
  • Any contraindication for MRI

Treatment and study plan

Low Intensity Exercise Training 1

Behavioral

Subjects will perform handgrip exercise training at low intensity (20% maximal force) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (more details not provided to keep study blinded)

Low Intensity Exercise Training 2

Behavioral

Subjects will perform a different handgrip exercise training at low intensity (20% maximal force) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (more details not provided to keep study blinded)

Primary outcomes

  1. Hand grip force

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    Primary outcome will be used to compare pre to post change in maximum force contraction at the end of the 6-week intervention between groups.Similar comparison will be done between retention test (4 weeks after training) and posttest (immediately after training).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pre to Post changes of functional brain to muscle coupling at maximum handgrip contraction

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    Functional brain to muscle coupling will be measured by computing the EMG-EEG coherence before training, after training, and 4 weeks after end of intervention. Values will be compared between groups.

  2. Pre to Post changes in EMG amplitude at maximum handgrip contraction

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    EMG of the right arm muscles will be assessed during maximum handgrip contraction before training, after training, and 4 weeks after end of intervention. Values will be compared between groups.

  3. Pre to Post changes in Brain activity during maximum handgrip contraction

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training)

    functional magnetic resonance imaging will used to measure brain activity when subject performs maximum muscle handgrip contraction before training, after training. Values will be compared between groups.

  4. Functional brain to muscle (EEG-EMG) phase coupling at low intensity handgrip muscle contraction.

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    Corticomuscular coherence between EEG signal from contralateral motor region and EMG signal from handgrip muscles will be computed while subjects perform handgrip contraction at 20% of their maximum force.Group x Time interaction will be measured.

  5. EEG Brain connectivity during low intensity handgrip muscle contraction

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training)

    functional connectivity within the brain networks will be studied while subjects perform 20% of their maximum handgrip contraction. Group x Time interaction will be measured.

  6. Fatigue sustained handgrip contraction task duration

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    Subjects will perform a sustained handgrip contraction task at 20% maximal force.The task duration (a measure of endurance) will be measured for each subject in the three groups, before and after training, and after 4 weeks of end of intervention. Group x Time interaction will be measured.

  7. functional brain to muscle coupling during fatigue

    Time frame: Pretest (before training), Posttest (immediately after end of training), Retention test (4 weeks after end of training)

    EMG-EEG coherence will be studied when subjects get fatigue after performing a sustained muscle contraction task at 20% maximal force. Group x Time interaction will be measured.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kessler Foundation

Other

Collaborators

  • Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jul 26, 2016
Registry last updated
Oct 5, 2020

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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