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High-Intensity Interval Exercise for Young Adult Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors

This study is looking at whether a 16-week virtual exercise program called High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can improve the physical, mental, and emotional health of young adults who survived pediatric brain tumors. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 45 years old, were diagnosed with a brain tumor as a child, or have an IDH-mutant glioma diagnosed after age 18, and are at least 2 years past your tumor treatment (or 1 year for some cases). The researchers will measure how often you attend exercise sessions, how many minutes you complete, and how well you follow the HIIT program. This study is currently recruiting participants.

Study design
This is a pilot study that will randomly assign about 30 participants to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group will do the HIIT program, while the control group will continue their usual activities.
What's involved
You would undergo screening, in-clinic fitness and strength evaluations, blood collection, at-home Zoom exercise sessions, and complete activity logs and surveys. Your participation is expected to last about 8 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

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

NCT05740839

High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Young Adult Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Recruiting
NAAges 18–45InterventionalSupportive care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
~30 participants
Updated 2026-02-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:HIIT Exercise ProgramControl Group

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Attendance of Exercise Sessions
Measured over From first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Pediatric Brain Tumor

Explore related trials

Brain NeoplasmGliomaIDH1 wt Allele

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Christina Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Who to contact

Christina Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH
[email protected]
617-582-8321
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
At time of study are a young adult, aged 18-45 years.
Histologically diagnosed brain tumor during childhood, or currently diagnosed with an IDH-mutant glioma (diagnosed \> 18 years).
Are at least 2 years post tumor-directed therapy for pediatric brain tumor survivors, or at least 1 year since their most recent surgery, radiation or chemotherapy treatment for IDH-mutant glioma patients (or are deemed able to participate in the study based on the assessment of their treating physician). IDH-mutant glioma patients can participate while on maintenance therapy with an IDH inhibitor.
The effects of exercise on the developing fetus are unknown. For this reason, people of child-bearing potential must verify pregnancy status by providing first day of their last menstrual cycle and agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control or abstinence) prior to study entry. Should a person become pregnant or suspect that they are pregnant while participating on the trial, they should inform their treating physician immediately.
Medically cleared to participate in exercise by their referring physician or a certified clinical exercise physiologist.
If participants have a diagnosis of tumor-related epilepsy, they must have good seizure control, with no generalized seizures in the 6 months preceding enrollment.
Are without any other medical conditions that could exacerbate with exercise, such as bone disease (excluding bone metastases) at imminent risk of fracture or uncontrolled cardiopulmonary or metabolic diseases.
Speak English and/or Spanish.
Currently participate in less than or equal to 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous structured exercise/week.
Does not smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes (no smoking during the previous 12 months). Those who infrequently smoke in social settings will be included. Those who vape will also be included.
Willing to travel to DFCI for necessary data collection.
Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion

Diagnosis of primary spinal cord tumor.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as uncontrolled tumor-related epilepsy, cardiopulmonary disease, or metabolic diseases that could exacerbate with exercise.
Patients with evidence of progressive CNS or systemic cancer in the last 3 months.
People who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant during study duration will be excluded due to the unknown nature of exercise on developing fetuses.
Actively on a weight loss diet.
Participate in more than 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous structured exercise/week.
Currently and regularly smokes.
Unable to travel to DFCI for necessary data collection.
May not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study in the opinion of the investigator.

What this trial measures

  • Attendance of Exercise SessionsFrom first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks

    Defined as participant attendance of \>= 70% of the 48 HIIT exercise sessions.

  • Completion in Minutes of Exercise SessionsFrom first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks

    Defined as participant completion of \>= 70% of the 90 minutes of exercise per week

  • HIIT ComplianceFrom first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks

    Defined as obtaining +-5W of target power output for \>= 40 seconds of high intensity minute

  • Barriers to Exercise AdherenceFrom first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks

    Assessed through the 17-item Barriers to Recruitment Participation Questionnaire (BRPQ), 1-5 scale with 1 denoted as strongly agree and 5 as strongly disagree.

  • Participant BurdenFrom first exercise session to final exercise session, up to 16 weeks

    Assessed through the Perceived Research Burden Assessment (PRBA), 1-5 scale with 1 denoted as strongly disagree and 5 as strongly agree.