NCT05912257

Brief Summary

In this pragmatic clinical trial, the investigators will study older Veterans approaching surgery for gastrointestinal or genitourinary cancer who are at high risk for a marked decline in their physical function. The investigators will test a multi-targeted nutrition regimen high in protein and other key nutrients and including resistance exercise, administered 2-8 weeks prior to surgery and for 24 weeks after discharge from surgery, with the goal of protecting physical function and improving physiologic, metabolic, and patient-centered outcomes. The findings of this study will promote a better intervention to compensate for the high nutritional demands of cancer and its treatment and lead to stronger, more rapid physical recoveries and better quality of life for older adults with moderate to advanced cancer- a group that has rarely been included in long-term nutrition studies. In addition to providing direct benefits to Veterans, the study may also benefit the VA by decreasing demands on the health care system via hastening the recovery of physical function.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
188

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable cancer

Timeline
14mo left

Started May 2024

Typical duration for not_applicable cancer

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress65%
May 2024Jun 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 30, 2023

Completed
23 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 22, 2023

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2024

Completed
3.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 30, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2027

Last Updated

May 20, 2026

Status Verified

May 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

3.2 years

First QC Date

May 30, 2023

Last Update Submit

May 18, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

SurgeryPerioperative NutritionOlder Adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • 6-Minute Walk Change

    Distance walked in 6 minute.

    baseline, within 72 hours before surgery, 30-days post-op, 12-weeks following post-op visit, 24 weeks following post-op visit

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Health-related QoL (QLQ-C30)

    baseline, within 72 hours before surgery, 30-days post-op, 12-weeks following post-op visit, 24 weeks following post-op visit

  • Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)

    baseline, within 72 hours before surgery, 30-days post-op, 12-weeks following post-op visit, 24 weeks following post-op visit

Study Arms (2)

NOSH

EXPERIMENTAL

Multi-Targeted NOSH + Exercise (NOSH Regimen) Arm

Behavioral: Structured perioperative nutrition and exercise

Typical Regimen

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Typical Regimen Arm

Behavioral: Nutrition and Exercise Counseling

Interventions

Nutrition counseling by a RD and prescribed a eucaloric diet with protein intake of 1.5 g/kg/d and at least 30 g high quality protein per meal. They will be provided 30 grams of high quality protein twice a day, Hydroxymethylbutyrate, and vitamin D3 and multi-vitamin. Participants will attend nutrition and exercise group classes for 2-8 weeks prior to their scheduled surgery. Following following discharge home, participants will be instructed to resume group classes and protein, HMB, vitamin-D and MVS regimen, and exercise classes will resume when cleared by surgical team.

NOSH

nutrition counseling by study Registered Dietitian (RD) and prescribed a eucaloric diet with protein intake of 1.0 g/kg/d and a one a day multivitamin/multimineral supplement. They will be counseled on exercising three times per week and given access to exercise videos. Following following discharge home, participants will be instructed to resume protein recommendations and MVS, and exercise recommendations will resume when cleared by surgical team.

Typical Regimen

Eligibility Criteria

Age55 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Male and Female Veterans
  • Stage I, II, III cancer of the bladder, colon, kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, rectum, prostate, endometrium, ovaries, and uterus
  • Surgery 2-8 weeks from consent
  • Age \> 55 years
  • Age-normal renal function
  • English speaking
  • Able to record dietary intake or has a proxy who can record dietary intake
  • Willing and able to be randomized to either intervention group

You may not qualify if:

  • Stage IV cancer diagnosis
  • Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) less than 45 mL/min
  • Neurological conditions causing functional impairments, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and permanent disability due to stroke
  • Class III-IV congestive heart failure
  • Refractory cachexia - medical condition that affects ability to increase muscle mass (e.g., cachexia) defined as 10% weight loss in 10 months, 5% weight loss in 6 months or 2% weight loss over any period plus body mass index 20 kg/m2 AND Life expectancy 9 months
  • Active treatment for another cancer site
  • Body weight \>450 lbs
  • Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c 9%)
  • Recent diagnosis of thyroid disease or untreated thyroid disease
  • Inability to complete physical function assessment
  • Severe dietary restrictions
  • On chemotherapy drug Sorafenib

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Durham, North Carolina, 27705-3875, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms

Interventions

ExerciseNutritional Status

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaNutritional Physiological PhenomenaDiet, Food, and NutritionPhysiological PhenomenaHealth StatusDemographyPopulation Characteristics

Study Officials

  • Kathryn N. Starr, PhD

    Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kathryn N Starr, PhD

CONTACT

Josephine C Mcwhorter

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
FED
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 30, 2023

First Posted

June 22, 2023

Study Start

May 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Last Updated

May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations