A study looking at lifestyle after treatment for myeloma

Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.

Cancer type:

Myeloma

Status:

Closed

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at lifestyle and physical health in people who have had treatment for myeloma.

More about this trial

Most people with myeloma have chemotherapy and very often this gets rid of any sign of active disease. This is called being in remission Open a glossary item .

But even when in remission, many people continue to feel tired and lacking in both energy and confidence. They may also feel anxious and low in mood. All of these things can stop them returning to a normal lifestyle.

Also, because myeloma can affect your bones, people are often unsure how much physical activity or exercise they can do. And some people still have pain or discomfort from bone damage they’ve had in the past.

It is possible that taking part in physical activity may play an important role in how people feel physically and psychologically when they are in remission from myeloma. In this study, the researchers want to get a better understanding of the relationship between lifestyle and possible improvements in general fitness, energy levels, mood and self confidence.

They hope that the information they get from this study will help them to design better rehabilitation programmes for people who have had treatment for myeloma.

Who can enter

You may be invited to join study if you have had treatment for myeloma at either University College London or St Bartholomew’s hospital and you

Are now in remission and your myeloma hasn’t shown any sign of getting worse for at least 6 weeks
Aren’t currently having any treatment for myeloma apart from consolidation or maintenance treatment (your doctor can confirm this)
Are well enough to be up and about for at least half the day (performance status 0, 1 or 2)
Are well enough to take regular exercise

You can’t take part in the study if any of the following apply

You have had surgery to your spine or to other bones in the last 4 weeks
The healthcare professionals looking after you think your spine isn’t stable or that you have a particularly high risk of breaking a bone
You have a problem with your bones or muscles that limits your mobility
You have an abnormal heart trace (ECG ) or have chest pain due to a lack of oxygen reaching your heart muscle (unstable angina)
You are already taking part in an exercise programme as part of another study
You wouldn’t be able to complete questionnaires due to problems with your memory or concentration (cognitive impairment)

Trial design

The researchers need about 138 people to join this study.

The study team will assess your physical fitness, muscle strength and bone health. They will also look at how well your immune system is working and what you are physically able to do.

They will ask you to fill out questionnaires and to keep a simple diary of the physical activity you do during the study. They will also ask you to wear a small device on your waist or wrist. You wear the device for 1 week. You will be asked to wear it at the following times during the study

When you join
3 months
6 months
12 months

This monitors your activity level and is similar to wearing a watch.

The study team will test the balance between fat and water in your body and they will test your muscle strength by asking to do exercises measuring your hand grip and leg strength. They will also ask you to use a stationary bicycle while they measure the amount of oxygen you use during exercise.

They will carry out these assessments when you join the study and then at

3 months
6 months
12 months

Hospital visits

If you agree to take part in the study, you have a physical examination and blood tests. If your doctor thinks it is necessary, you may also have a heart trace (ECG Open a glossary item ), X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI scan.

You then have hospital visits and a blood test at