Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (hereafter referred to as PAYA-CS). Exercise is a cornerstone of CVD prevention and treatment; yet, exercise has not been adopted as a standard of care in PAYA-CS at high CVD risk. The HIMALAYAS trial is designed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary impact of an exercise-based CR on cardiovascular (CV) and psychosocial health, as well as CVD risk, in PAYA-CS with mild heart dysfunction (stage B heart failure (SBHF)). The primary objective of the HIMALAYAS pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a two-phase randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate impact of a 'CR-like' cardio-oncology rehabilitation (CORE) intervention on CV, psychosocial, and behavioural outcomes at 6 and 24 months, compared to behavioural support only (Support) in PAYA-CS. Screened PAYA-CS without SBHF and those with SBHF who do not participate in the RCT will be enrolled in a passive behavioural support (Support) group. The primary outcome is study feasibility, defined according to three primary criteria (i.e., participant recruitment, safety, and adherence). Secondary outcomes include additional feasibility metrics (e.g., intervention safety and tolerability) and exploratory efficacy outcomes including peak cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak), cardiac function (e.g., global longitudinal strain (GLS)), CVD risk factor control (e.g. insulin resistance), and patient-reported outcomes (e.g. anxiety). Our central hypothesis is that the conduct of a larger RCT comparing the impact of CORE versus non-intervention control will be feasible indicated by the achievement of our primary feasibility criteria. Our exploratory hypothesis is that we will generate preliminary evidence that CORE can improve VO2peak, cardiac function, CVD risk factor, and patient-reported outcomes over 6- and 24-month timepoints, relative to control.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Patient Access and Recruitment (feasibility target: >50% of eligible participants)
Timeframe: Throughout study recruitment, up to 2 years
Testing- and intervention-related serious adverse events (feasibility target: none)
Timeframe: Initiation through end of study recruitment 12 months
Patient exercise adherence (feasibility target: >=70% of prescribed)
Timeframe: Initiation throughout end of CORE intervention at a maximum of 6 months post-randomization