CompletedNot Applicable

Vegetable Garden Feasibility Trial to Promote Function in Older Cancer Survivors

United States46 participantsStarted 2014-04

Plain-language summary

Cancer survivorship has been claimed a national priority, with a call to develop effective interventions that can prevent, delay, or mitigate the adverse effects and comorbidities in this high risk population. Strong evidence exists that a healthful diet and regular physical activity can prevent many chronic diseases and improve physical function. More research however is needed to develop interventions that can produce long-term adherence to healthful lifestyle behaviors. This pilot study is based on the hypothesis that vegetable gardening interventions will be feasible and result in improvements in diet and exercise behaviors as well as improvements in physical functioning and well-being.

Who can participate

Age range60 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosed with a loco-regionally staged cancer associated with an 60% or greater 5-year survival rate (localized and regional staged breast, Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate, ovary, endometrial, colorectal and thyroid cancers; localized cervix, kidney/renal pelvis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oral cavity/pharynx, small intestine, bladder and soft tissue cancers; and in situ bladder \& breast cancer); and distant Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Testicular cancers. * resides in select counties in Alabama; * completed primary curative cancer treatments, i.e., surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy; * at higher risk of functional decline (≥ 1 physical function (PF) limitations as defined by the SF36 PF subscale); * currently eats less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day; * exercises less than 150 minutes/ week; * speaks, reads and writes in English * reside in a location that can accommodate 4 or more Earthboxes or 1-raised bed (4'x 8'), and that get at least 4 hours of sun a day with running water; * willing to be randomized to either study arm and participate in the follow-up. Exclusion Criteria * history of lymphedema flares and axillary node dissection of 10 or more lymph nodes on one side of the body; * not competent due to mental health or other very serious comorbid conditions (e.g., severe orthopedic conditions or scheduled for a hip or knee replacement with 6 months, paralysis, unstable angina or who have experienced a myocardial infarction, congestive he…

What they're measuring

feasibility

Timeframe: baseline to 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02150148

SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2015-12