Remote Resistance Training (tele-RT) for Patients with Advanced Stage III-IV Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers Undergoing Chemotherapy
This clinical trial evaluates a remote telemedicine (tele)-resistance training (RT) exercise program for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for stage III-IV upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Patients undergoing treatment for advanced cancer frequently experience severe fatigue and loss of physical function that has a negative impact on quality of life. RT, a physical exercise that that uses weight or other forms of resistance to increase skeletal muscle, is an effective strategy to reverse muscle loss during treatment and has the potential to improve outcomes including fatigue, fitness, performance status and quality of life. Supervised in person training is the gold standard but may not be possible for many cancer patients. A remote at-home option (tele-RT) may be helpful for patients unable to travel to locations for exercise. Providing remote resistance training may increase exercise participation and improve quality of life.