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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02580461

Renewing Caregiver Health and Well-being Through Exercise

The RECHARGE study is evaluating the effect of a 24 week structured exercise and education program on the physical and emotion health, quality of life, physical activity and fitness levels of family caregivers. Very little research has been done examining the impact of a structured exercise program designed for family caregivers of cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if physical activity is effective in improving caregiver health and well-being.

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Key information

Conditions

Family Caregivers Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Calgary Health and Wellness Lab

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

About this study

The REHCARGE study is a randomized control trial testing a structured exercise program for cancer family caregivers. One half of the participants enrolled will receive no exercise program until after twelve weeks have passed (the delayed start group) and the other half of the participants will start the exercise program right away. In addition to regular attendance at exercise classes, participants will also be asked to complete some measurements throughout the study including an initial assessment and one after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of the exercise programs. If participants are a part of the delayed start group, they will receive a fourth fitness assessment. Assessments include an evaluation of physical activity levels, quality of life, depression, sleep, and social support through survey type questionnaires as well as a fitness assessment to measure overall fitness and body composition. Participants will receive an individualized exercise program appropriate for their fitness level as well as 6 education sessions about healthy behaviors throughout the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Currently providing physical care, instrumental or psychological support to an adult patient who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer.
  • They must not have any physical health conditions that would restrict their participation in an aerobic and resistance exercise program.
  • They must be willing to participate in two exercise classes per week at a gym space at the University of Calgary.
  • They must not be planning on moving for the next 12 months
  • Not currently meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (150 minutes of aerobic activity per week and 2 sessions of resistance training per week) for the last three months.
  • Be able to speak and read English

Exclusion criteria

  • Providing care to a child with cancer Participants caring for a child with cancer will be excluded
  • Participants with a health condition that limits their participation in a physical activity program will be excluded
  • Participants who were previously caring for a cancer patient and that patient has now died (i.e. bereaved caregivers) will be excluded
  • Participants meeting the Canadian Physical Activity guidelines for the past three months will be excluded
  • Participants who cannot attend the group exercise classes will be excluded

Treatment and study plan

A 24 week center-based structured exercise and education program

Behavioral

The intervention will consist of a strength and aerobic exercise program. The exercise program will include twice weekly group resistance exercises classes, twice monthly group education classes, and individual activities to achieve 150 weekly minutes of aerobic activity. The resistance exercise and education classes will be run at a gym space at the University of Calgary. The wait-list control participants will be told not to change their activity levels throughout the 12 weeks of the trial. The wait list control participants will be enrolled into the exercise and education intervention once they have completed 12 weeks of wait-list control. A 12 week maintenance exercise program will be offered to all participants who finish the 12 week exercise and education program. The maintenance exercise program will consist of once weekly resistance group based exercise classes and individual activities to achieve 150 weekly minutes of aerobic physical activity.

Primary outcomes

  1. Quality of Life

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    The physical functioning score of the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 will be the primary outcome

Secondary outcomes

  1. Physical activity levels

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Physical activity levels will be measured through standardized self-report questionnaires.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Calgary

Other

Collaborators

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Registry information

Official study title

Renewing Caregiver Health and Well-being Through Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: RECHARGE

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Oct 20, 2015
Registry last updated
Oct 26, 2016

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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