Could a walk a day keep brain fog away after a stem cell transplant?
NCT ID NCT04898790
First seen Jul 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether a tailored physical activity program can help older adults maintain thinking and memory after a stem cell transplant for blood cancers. Participants aged 60 and older will follow a progressive, light-to-moderate exercise plan with support from therapists and care partners. The goal is to see if staying active can reduce the cognitive decline that often follows transplant.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a tailored physical activity program called CHAMPS-II, adapted for older adults undergoing stem cell transplant
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to protect brain function in older adults after a stem cell transplant.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage adaptation study with a small number of participants, so results may not apply broadly. Physical activity may be difficult for some patients during recovery.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 114 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2021
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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19 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Arm 1: Inclusion Criteria for Participants: * 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 Exclusion Criteria for Participants: * there are no exclusion criteria Inclusion Criteria for Participants' Care-Partner: * age 19 years and older * able to speak and read English Exclusion Criteria for Participants' Care-Partner: * there are no exclusion criteria Inclusion Criteria for Transplant Team Member: * age 19 years and older * able to speak and read English Exclusion Criteria for Transplant Team Member: * there are no exclusion criteria Arms 2 and 3: Inclusion Criteria for Participants: * 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 Exclusion Criteria for Participants: * 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 Individuals with the following current conditions/diagnoses documented in medical history will be required to provide clearance for exercise from their cardiologist: * 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 Individuals with the following conditions/diagnoses will be required to provide clearance for exercise from their surgeon: * 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 Inclusion Criteria for Participants' Care-Partner: * 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 Exclusion Criteria for Participants' Care-Partner: * 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 Individuals with the following current conditions/diagnoses documented in medical history will be required to provide clearance for exercise from their cardiologist: * 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 Individuals with the following conditions/diagnoses will be required to provide clearance for exercise from their surgeon: o 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 Inclusion Criteria for Transplant Team Member: * age 19 years and older * able to speak and read English Exclusion Criteria for Transplant Team Member: * there are no exclusion criteria
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
RECRUITINGOmaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
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