Testing the Effects of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Assess the preliminary efficacy of exercise versus (vs.) standard care for treating CIPN (via patient-reported CIPN-20 total score).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the preliminary efficacy of exercise vs. standard care on individual symptoms of CIPN (via CIPN Symptom Inventory; i.e., numbness, tingling, burning/shooting pain, and cramping in the hands and feet).

II. Assess the preliminary efficacy of exercise vs. standard care on a clinical test of CIPN symptoms (via the tactile sensitivity in the fingers and toes).

III. Assess the effects of exercise vs. standard care on two possible CIPN mechanisms, namely interoception (via Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness version 2 [MAIA-2] questionnaire).

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the effects of exercise vs. standard care on other common symptoms related to cancer, chemotherapy, and CIPN, including:

Ia. Daily Diary of symptoms of CIPN. Ib. An array of cancer and treatment symptoms (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory; MDASI).

Ic. Anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale; HADS). Id. Pain catastrophizing (pain catastrophizing scale; PCS). Ie. Cognitive impairment (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive [FACT-Cog]).

If. Fatigue (brief fatigue inventory; BFI). Ig. Quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General [FACT-G]).

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM 1 (EXERCISE): Participants undergo the exercise for cancer patients (EXCAP) intervention consisting of a home-based, self-directed, individually tailored progressive walking and resistance program for up to 6 weeks. Participants also undergo a tactile sensitivity test at baseline and after completion of EXCAP over 15-25 minutes. In addition, participants meet with a certified exercise instructor over 45 minutes at baseline and 2 additional booster meetings over 15-30 minutes during weeks 2 and 3 or weeks 4 and 5.

ARM 2 (CONTROL): Participants receive usual care for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, participants may receive the exercise kit and complete the EXCAP program as in Arm 1. Participants also undergo a tactile sensitivity test at baseline and after completion of EXCAP over 15-25 minutes.

Participants may optionally undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on study.

Inclusion criteria

• Have a diagnosis of cancer
• Have received neurotoxic chemotherapy within the past nine months (could still be on chemotherapy or have already completed chemotherapy; i.e., taxane-, platinum-, vinca alkaloid-, epothilone-, or proteasome inhibitor-based chemotherapy
• Report one or more symptoms of CIPN at a level of >= 4 on the CIPN symptom inventory on the Screening Form
• Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
• Have at least six months life expectancy
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to read and understand English
• Be able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Have physical limitations (e.g., cardiorespiratory, orthopedic, central nervous system) that contraindicate participation in a low to moderate intensity home-based walking and progressive resistance exercise program, according to the participant's physician (e.g., oncologist, primary care) or physician's designee
• Be identified as in the active or maintenance stage of exercise behavior per the Exercise Stages of Change Question on the Screening Form
• Have planned surgery or radiation treatment during the course of the study (hormonal and biologic therapy is allowed)
• Have contraindications for MRI scanning, per the MRI safety screening procedures of the MRI facility to be utilized for this participant
• Are pregnant of have plans to become pregnant during the course of the study. Documentation of pregnancy and use of contraception can be obtained from the medical record.
• Have a current or prior cancer in the central nervous system (spine, brainstem, brain) as this would interfere with assessments of brain functional connectivity.