A Pilot Trial of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Thoracic Cancers
Other than optimizing medical management of cardiac risk factors, and reducing radiotherapy (RT) dose to the heart, there currently exist no interventions to mitigate or reverse the adverse cardiac effects of RT. Aerobic exercise has been demonstrated to improve patient quality of life, cardiac outcomes, and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with cancer receiving cardiotoxic systemic therapies, but the effects of aerobic exercise on patients at high risk for radiation induced heart disease (RIHD) is unknown. In addition, home-based cardiac rehabilitation has not been tested in patients with thoracic cancers.
• Pathologically confirmed or radiographically diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sarcoma, thymoma, or left-sided breast cancer.
• Planning to receive neo-adjuvant, adjuvant, or definitive radiation therapy to the thorax with curative intent.
• Willing to participate in home-based cardiac rehabilitation program and be monitored remotely via smart phone application
• Possess a smart phone or tablet capable of supporting teleHeart application
• Willing and eligible to co-enroll in the Cardiovascular Toxicity in Cancer and Improvement in Recovery (SURVIVE) Registry Study (HRPO# 201801031).
• At least 18 years of age.
• ECOG performance status ≤ 2
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable).