Sustainable Implementation of the EXCEL Exercise Oncology Program Across Canada

Last updated: April 28, 2025
Sponsor: University of Calgary
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Colon Cancer

Cancer

Neoplasms

Treatment

Group Exercise Classes

Clinical Study ID

NCT06960291
HREBA.CC-25-0029
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

EXCEL will provide online and, where feasible, in-person exercise programs to individuals living with and beyond cancer (ILWBC). Research has shown that targeted programs that include tailored exercise prescriptions are more successful in helping individuals with chronic disease to incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily routines. While ILWBC are advised by healthcare professionals (HCPs) to engage in exercise, there is a lack of cancer-specific exercise programs and cancer-trained exercise specialists in Canada, outside of the research setting. Considering the negative impact cancer and its treatments have on fitness and physical activity levels, community-based efforts towards improving access, uptake and maintenance of exercise programming are needed.

This study will evaluate the benefits of a community-based or online EXCEL exercise program for people living with and beyond cancer across Canada, using a streamlined intake process compared to the original EXCEL Study (HREBA.CC-20-0098, NCT04478851). This 8 to 12-week program (intervention) will be delivered in-person or over virtual platform. It includes twice weekly supervised exercise classes.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • have or had a diagnosis of cancer;

  • be 18 years or older;

  • be able to participate in low-intensity levels of activity, at minimum;

  • be pretreatment, or receiving active cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, systemictherapy and radiation therapy), have received cancer treatment within the past 3years, or if beyond 3 years since treatment completion, have a referral from theirhealthcare team indicating they have side effects from cancer treatment or thecancer itself, that could be improved or managed with exercise;

  • be able to provide informed written consent in English or French

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • does not or did not have a cancer diagnosis

  • is under the age of 18

  • is unable to participate in mild exercise, at minimum

  • is not pretreatment, or receiving active cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, systemictherapy and radiation therapy), has not received cancer treatment within the past 3years, or if beyond 3 years since treatment completion, doesn't have side effectsfrom cancer treatment or the cancer itself, that could be improved or managed withexercise

  • unable to read/write in English

  • for online programs, does not have internet or computer access

Study Design

Total Participants: 740
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Group Exercise Classes
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 11, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
November 30, 2026

Study Description

Over the past 4.5 years, the EXCEL Study (HREBA.CC-20-0098, NCT04478851) has been implemented across Canada and has recruited over 1500 individuals living with and beyond cancer. This updated study will streamline the program to essential baseline screening and testing (for safe and effective program delivery), simplify outcome assessments (for participants to see changes and for program evaluation), and increase the reach to include more urban centres to encourage more healthcare provider (HCP) buy-in with a simplified referral process (i.e. no patient screening required from HCPs to determine eligibility, based on location). This updated program is based off of the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) Program (HREBA.CC-24-0252). Thus, we are modifying the original EXCEL ethics to will reduce the participant burden with less patient-reported-outcomes and fewer follow-ups, which will allow more focus on program implementation, evaluation, and sustainability. Continued effort and training to establish the clinic-to-community model will be enhanced with stronger relationships and referrals from the cancer care system and the HCPs, which will continue to work towards a 'patient-centered care approach'.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Calgary

    Calgary, Alberta T2N1N4
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z7
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Nova Scotia Health Authority

    Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Toronto

    Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

  • Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal

    Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

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