Improving Cognition After Cancer (I Can!)
A Randomized Trial of Physical Activity for Cognitive Functioning in Breast Cancer Survivors
This study will test whether a physical activity intervention can improve cognition in breast cancer survivors and help the development of physical activity guidelines for cognition in breast cancer survivors.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
Many breast cancer survivors experience problems with mental abilities such as memory, attention, and concentration (known as cognition). Increasing physical activity has been shown to improve cognition in adults; however, little is known about whether this is helpful for cancer survivors as well. This study will test whether a physical activity intervention can improve cognition in breast cancer survivors and help the development of physical activity guidelines for cognition in breast cancer survivors.
Study Type
Enrollment (Actual)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
-
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California
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La Jolla, California, United States, 92093
- Moores UCSD Cancer Center
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- breast cancer survivors who have completed active treatment at least 6 months prior to enrollment and are within 5 years of diagnosis of stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer
- self-report difficulties with cognition since their cancer diagnosis
- self-report low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity
- have a Fitbit compatible device with internet
- breast cancer was treated with chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
- medical condition that could make it potentially unsafe to be in an unsupervised physical activity intervention
- currently taking tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor that will be stopped in the next 6 months
- unable to commit to a 12-month study
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: Single
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: Exercise Intervention
This arm will receive a 12-month individually tailored phone and email-based exercise program. |
This intervention is based on Control Theory and Social Cognitive Theory and includes: 1) weekly emails with tips and tools to set personalized exercise goals and to increase exercise; 2) Health coaching phone sessions; 3) wrist worn monitor such as a Fitbit to track activity |
|
Active Comparator: Health & Wellness Intervention
This arm will receive a 12-month health and wellness program. |
This intervention includes: 1) weekly emails with tips and tools to support health and wellness such as brain health, stress management, nutrition; 2) Health coaching phone sessions |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
National Institutes of Health Toolbox - Cognition Domain - Oral Symbol Digit Test
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
|
The NIH Toolbox Oral Symbol Digit Test is a measure of processing speed, administered on an iPad by trained staff. Participants view a key pairing nine abstract symbols with the digits 1-9 and say aloud the digit that matches each symbol in a series, completing as many items as possible in 120 seconds. Higher scores indicate faster processing speed. |
Baseline to 6 months
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
National Institutes of Health Toolbox - Cognition Domain - Oral Symbol Digital Test
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 months
|
The NIH Toolbox Oral Symbol Digit Test is a measure of processing speed, administered on an iPad by trained staff. Participants view a key pairing nine abstract symbols with the digits 1-9 and say aloud the digit that matches each symbol in a series, completing as many items as possible in 120 seconds. Higher scores indicate faster processing speed. |
Baseline to 12 months
|
|
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cognitive Abilities
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months and Baseline to 12 months
|
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Item Bank v2.0 - Cognitive Function - Abilities Subset, administered as a computerized adaptive test (CAT), which assesses self-perceived cognitive abilities (e.g., memory, attention, and concentration) in daily life. Raw scores are converted to T-scores, standardized to a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the U.S. general population reference sample. Higher T-scores indicate better self-reported cognitive function. |
Baseline to 6 months and Baseline to 12 months
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Collaborators
Publications and helpful links
General Publications
- Hartman SJ, Shao LY, Zablocki RW, Natarajan L, Ahles T, Palmer BW, Sears DD, Tam RM, Mac V, Dillon L, Yan C, Parker BA. Effectiveness of an exercise intervention on cognition in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Sep 30:djag295. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djag295. Online ahead of print.
- Carlin D, Ott O, Sears DD, Ahles T, Desplats P, Hartman SJ. Exercise slows biological aging in breast cancer survivors: secondary analysis of a randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Sep 30:djag296. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djag296. Online ahead of print.
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- 182113
- 5R01CA225746 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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