ACUMEN - Enhancing treatment outcomes after after gynaecological cancer through exercise

Gynaecological cancer

Exercise reduces the detrimental side effects of cancer treatments. However, most women recovering from gynaecological cancer have limited access to the support that would help them safely integrate exercise into their daily lives.

The ACUMEN exercise study addresses this critical yet unmet need. The ACUMEN study aims to improve women’s overall wellbeing and important aspects of health after treatment for gynaecological cancer, and to demonstrate the benefits of exercise as cost-effective ‘usual care’ after treatment.

In this study, eligible women will receive 12 weeks of individualised exercise training coached by an exercise physiologist. While the study is based in Brisbane and expert in-person in gyms is available in Brisbane, there is a significant appetite amongst affected women treated at Mater throughout Queensland who also would appreciate exercise support. The ACUMEN team can also deliver exercise supervision via innovative telehealth delivery to women outside of Brisbane. All exercise coaching is delivered one-on-one, there is no group work.

Category
Surgical
Trial status
Not yet recruiting
Trial phase
Phase 0
Sometimes referred to as Phase 0 trials or pilot studies, these come before Phase 1 trials and are used to test how the body responds to an experimental drug. In these studies, small doses of the new drug are given once or for a short time to a very limited number of people.
Registry listing
ACTRN12621000050853 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry

Trial contact details

Contact person
Dr Vivian Chiu
Email
acumen@uq.edu.au

What you need to know

Who can take part?

Any woman over the age of 18 years who has been treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy for a cancer of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vulva or vagina in the last 5 years.
Must be more than one month since surgery
Not on acute treatment (intravenous chemotherapy or radiotherapy) while enrolled
If wishing to participate via telehealth, must have a mobile phone or computer

What is involved for you?

Enrolment is for 24 weeks.
Completion of a health survey on Weeks 1, 12 and 24.
Commence exercise program in Week 1, which is undertaken until the end of Week 12.
You will be supervised in a mix of aerobic, resistance and flexibility training for the 12 weeks, tailored to you needs and capabilities.
In the first six weeks you will be coached by an exercise physiologist for two sessions per week, and trained to undertake one by yourself once per week.
In the second six weeks, you will be coached for one session per week, and encouraged to undertake two sessions by yourself. This is to build your ability to safely undertake exercise by yourself by the end of the program.