An Exercise Intervention for Improving Mental and Physical Health in Patients With Primary Brain Tumors and Their Caregivers, ET-NEURO Trial

Study Summary

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of a partnered exercise program, called Exercise Together, on participants with primary brain tumors and their caregivers. Standard treatments for primary brain tumors require extensive caregiver support, and both patients and caregivers experience high psychological distress and physical burden as a result. While exercise is known to improve outcomes in cancer patients, its impact on primary brain tumor patients and caregivers remains unstudied. Exercise Together is a supervised, group exercise program previously studied in patients with other types of cancer, though never in patients with primary brain tumors or their caregivers. Exercise Together uses functional resistance training to target muscle groups essential for everyday activities to improve daily functioning. Since exercises are done in a partnered format, Exercise Together is also designed to foster teamwork and strengthen the relationship between the patient and their caregiver. This program may be safe, feasible, and effective in improving the mental and physical health of primary brain tumor patients and their caregivers.

Primary Outcome

Feasibility will be evaluated using an enrollment rate of ≥ 50% of eligible patient-caregiver dyads. Continuous variables will be characterized by N, mean or median, standard deviation or interquartile range; and discrete variables will be characterized by frequencies and proportions with exact 95% confidence intervals, as appropriate.

Interventions

• PROCEDURE Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• OTHER Questionnaire Administration
• OTHER Electronic Health Record Review
• OTHER Resistance Training