Improving Cognitive Function in Older Adults After Stem Cell Transplant

This study is looking at whether a physical activity program called CHAMPS-II can help improve thinking and memory skills in older adults who have recently had a stem cell transplant (HCT) for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Many older adults who undergo HCT can experience problems with their memory and thinking. CHAMPS-II is a personalized program that gives you information, training, and support to help you be more physically active. Researchers believe that increasing physical activity might help improve these cognitive (thinking) abilities. The study aims to enroll 108 participants and is currently unclear about its recruitment status. Success in this study will be measured by changes in specific tests of executive function (a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control) at 12 weeks.

Study design: This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific intervention. It plans to enroll 108 participants.
What's involved: Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Participants' executive function will be measured at 12 weeks after starting the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Improving Cognitive Function in Older Adults Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant

Recruiting

NAAges 19+InterventionalSupportive care

University of Nebraska

~114 participants

Updated 2026-08-19 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:CHAMPS-II adapted to adults 60+ years in HCT setting

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change in executive function as measured by Trails A.

Measured over 12 weeks

+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Leukemia

Lymphoma

Multiple Myeloma

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Nebraska1

Study leadership

Thuy Koll, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Nebraska

Who to contact

Marcia M Free, BSN

[email protected]

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

age 60 years and older

have a diagnosis of hematological malignancy

have received autologous or allogeneic HCT within the prior 3-6 months

able to speak and read English

have provided written informed consent

age 19 years and older

able to speak and read English

age 19 years and older

able to speak and read English

age 55 years and older

have a diagnosis of hematological malignancy

planned to receive an autologous or allogeneic HCT

able to walk 4 meters as part of the Short Physical Performance Battery (with or without assistance)

(In Arm 3 only): willingness to be randomized to either initiate the physical activity intervention pre-HCT or following Day 180 post-HCT, and to follow the protocol for the group to which they have been assigned

able to speak and read English

have provided written informed consent

age 19 years and older

able to speak and read English

able to walk 4 meters as part of the Short Physical Performance Battery (with or without assistance)

have no medical contraindications for participating in light to moderate-intensity physical activity per PI review of medical history as reported on the care-partner medical history form

age 19 years and older

able to speak and read English

Exclusion

development of chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or occurrence of other safety concerns during the physical performance measures (i.e. Short Physical Performance Battery)

is not cleared to participate in exercise by a physician

Myocardial infarctions in the past 3 months

Resting or unstable angina

Uncontrolled and/or serious arrhythmias

3rd degree heart block

Acute congestive heart failure or ejection fraction \<30%

Clinically significant aortic stenosis

Hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery in the past 3 months

other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgement of the principal investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow either the intervention or the active control condition

(In Arm 3 for those who agree to the voluntary measures of blood, saliva and MRI, there are additional exclusions to avoid conditions that may confound study outcomes):

history of residual brain abnormalities from prior severe traumatic brain injury (e.g. encephalomalacia) or other significant abnormalities documented on a recent brain MRI (e.g. brain cancer, large vessel strokes, residual subdural hematoma)

history of major stroke with obvious residual deficits

history of relapsing and remitting Multiple Sclerosis

active moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms due to primary psychiatric disorder

development of chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or occurrence of other safety concerns during the physical performance measures (i.e. Short Physical Performance Battery)

is not cleared to participate in exercise by a physician

Myocardial infarctions in the past 3 months

Resting or unstable angina

Uncontrolled and/or serious arrhythmias

3rd degree heart block

Acute congestive heart failure or ejection fraction \<30%

Clinically significant aortic stenosis

other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgement of the principal investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow either the intervention or the active control condition

What this trial measures

Change in executive function as measured by Trails A.12 weeks
Change in raw scores and z-scores, determined by the following neuropsychological test: Trail Making Test Part A (Trails A). Time to complete and number of errors are measured, where less time and errors are better outcomes.
Change in executive function as measured by Trails B.12 weeks
Change in raw scores and z-scores, determined by the following neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test Part B (Trails B). Time to complete and number of errors are measured, where less time and errors are better outcomes.
Change in executive function as measured by the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT).12 weeks
Change in raw scores and z-scores, determined by the following neuropsychological test: Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT). Minimum score is zero and maximum is unlimited; higher score means better outcome.
Change in working memory as measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R).12 weeks
Change in raw scores and z-scores, determined by the following neuropsychological test: Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). There are 3 learning trials and 1 delayed recall trial. Minimum score for each is zero and maximum is 12; higher score means better outcome. There is also a delayed recognition trial where person is presented with both true positives and false positives. Minimum score for both is zero and maximum is 12. For the true positives a higher score means better outcome. For the false positives a lower score means better outcome.