Feasibility Testing of a Dyadic Exercise Program for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers

Feasibility Testing of a Dyadic Exercise Program for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers

The goal of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an exercise intervention for patients undergoing thoracic radiation and their family caregivers.

Primary Objectives:

1. Examine the feasibility and acceptability of an exercise program
2. Examine an initial sign for intervention efficacy by examining pre/post-test scores for patients' objective physical function and patient and caregiver subjective physical and mental quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be diagnosed with a non-small cell lung cancer or esophageal cancer and going to receive at least 24 fractions thoracic RT
• Have an ECOG performance status of ≤2
• Have a family caregiver (e.g., spouse, sibling, adult child) willing and able (self-identified) to participate in the exercise program

Both patient and caregiver must meet all the following criteria:

• Be ≥18 years old
• Be able to read and speak English
• Be able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• A patient who meets the following criteria will be excluded from participating in this study:
• Cognitive deficits noted in the medical records and/or cognitive deficits that would impede the completion of self-report instruments as deemed by the patient's attending radiation oncologist.
• Experiences contraindications to exercise as determined by the clinical team
• Regularly (self-defined) participates in an exercise program in the year prior to diagnosis

A patient and caregiver who is pregnant (medical notes and/or self-identified, respectively) will be excluded.