Continuous Activity Monitoring During Fractionated Radiotherapy in Patients With Head and Neck, Lung, or Gastrointestinal Cancer

Continuous Activity Monitoring During Fractionated Radiotherapy: A Pilot Study

This pilot research trial studies continuous activity monitoring during fractionated radiotherapy in patients with head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer. This study explores the use of fitness trackers to study the activity levels of patients before, during, and after radiation therapy and the use of weekly assessments to measure the patients' quality of life during radiation therapy. This may allow doctors to see if there is any relationship between activity levels, quality of life, treatment interruptions, hospitalizations, and clinical outcomes.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To demonstrate the feasibility of continuous, accelerometer-based evaluation of patient activity levels before, during, and after treatment with fractionated external beam radiotherapy.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To demonstrate the feasibility of performing weekly quality of life assessments during fractionated external beam radiotherapy.

II. To explore how accelerometer-based metrics change throughout patients' treatment courses and if these changes are associated with quality of life assessments, treatment interruptions, hospitalizations, and clinical outcomes.

OUTLINE:

Patients wear an activity monitor throughout and up 4 weeks after completion of radiation therapy. Patients who are willing may continue to wear the monitor through routine follow up appointments. Patients also complete questionnaires at evaluations, which take place prior to radiotherapy initiation, weekly during radiotherapy, and then 2 and 4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2

• Able to ambulate independently (without the assistance of a cane or walker)

• Diagnosis of invasive malignancy of the head and neck region, lung, or gastrointestinal tract

• Planned treatment with fractionated (>= 15 treatments) external beam radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy with curative intent

• Women of childbearing potential must:

  • Have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to the start of study therapy
  • Agree to utilize an adequate method of contraception throughout treatment and for at least 4 weeks after study therapy is completed
  • Be advised of the importance of avoiding pregnancy during trial participation and the potential risks of an unintentional pregnancy

• All patients must sign study specific informed consent prior to study entry