Exercise and Cognitive Rehab in Older Cancer Survivors

An Exercise and COgnitive Rehabilitation Intervention for Older Cancer Survivors (The E-Co Study)

The objective of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of a combined mobile health exercise and cognitive rehabilitation intervention and its effect on cognition in a single-arm pilot study that recruits cancer survivors.

Cancer survivors (i.e., those who completed cancer-directed treatment) often experience long-term treatment-related effects, such as cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD). Exercise and cognitive rehabilitation (rehab) interventions have been shown to improve CRCD symptoms in both cancer and non-cancer populations. Among older adults without cancer, studies have also demonstrated that multicomponent interventions combining exercise and cognitive rehab are more effective in improving cognitive dysfunction than either intervention alone. However, exercise adherence and self-efficacy are lower in older adults compared to younger adults, and combined interventions may be too demanding for older cancer survivors. Therefore, innovative ways are needed to integrate an exercise program within the context of a cognitive rehab program to increase exercise adherence and self-efficacy, and ultimately improve CRCD symptoms through a streamlined multicomponent intervention.

In this study, the investigators propose to refine a multicomponent Exercise and COgnitive rehab intervention (E-Co) and assess its feasibility in older cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥60 years at the time of consent

• Have a diagnosis of any cancer

• Have completed curative intent treatments

  • Patients on endocrine therapies are allowed to enroll
  • Patients with hematologic malignancies after autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant are allowed to enroll as long as they have completed curative-intent treatment

• Have concerns about memory or other thinking abilities following cancer treatment*

• English speaking (because the interventions are available in English language only)

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-3

• No medical contraindications for exercise per oncologist#

• Able to walk 4 meters#

• Able to provide informed consent#

(*) Confirmed by asking the patient (#) Confirmed through eligibility confirmation with the patient's oncologist or their designee

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physical, psychological, or social impairments that would interfere with patient's ability to participate in the study or participate in the intervention, as determined by the PIs and oncology team.