Exercise may boost memory in kids treated for brain cancer
NCT ID NCT02153957
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 10 times
Summary
This study tested whether a 12-week physical activity program could improve memory and attention in children who had radiation for brain tumors. Thirty-six kids aged 8–17 who finished radiation at least a year ago took part. Half started the program right away, while the other half waited 12 weeks. All kids wore an activity monitor and completed thinking and fitness tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- enhanced physical activity program with Zamzee activity monitor
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to help children with brain tumors improve memory and attention after radiation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 36 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention is behavioral, so benefits may be modest or hard to sustain long-term.
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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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2014
- Finished
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Feb 2023
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
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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8 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.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Children ages 8 - 18 years of age, diagnosed with brain tumor in childhood. 2. Must be at least 1 year post completion of radiation therapy to the brain or brain and spine. 3. Must be off anti-neoplastic therapy for at least 2 weeks and all therapy-related toxicities should return to baseline or less than or equal to Grade 1 if previously nonexistent. 4. Have parent-reported or documented difficulties in attention, processing speed, memory, or learning as assessed by the screening questions (a score of at least 3 on any one of the 4 questions or the participant having greater than or equal to 1/2 SD decline in test scores, scores \< 85, or special education services or accommodations). 5. Must have a parent or legal guardian willing to complete the parent proxy behavioral questionnaires and help their child participate in the study procedures at home. 6. Ability to read and understand the English language. 7. Have regular access to a computer a tablet, or a smartphone (the device must have either a USB port or Bluetooth with internet capability). 8. Must be willing to register online and install the software to use an age-appropriate activity monitor and website/app which will include sharing some personal identifiable information, to allow the participant to track their physical activity. 9. Ability of subject or parent/guardian to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document. PARENT OR GURADIAN OF PARTICIPATING SUBJECT: 1. Parent or Guardian of participating subject 2. Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document 3. Ability to read and understand the English language. EXCLUSION CRITERIA 1. A child with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) or recurrent high grade brain tumors will be excluded due to the poor prognosis, making participation for the length of this study difficult. 2. Significant medical problems, such as severe uncontrolled illnesses, or physical impairments that prohibit the child from exercising at moderate to vigorous levels based on the clinical judgment of the examining physician or nurse practitioner. 3. Currently engaging in \> 3 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, as reported in the exercise screening questions completed at the pre-study screening evaluation. 4. Significant cognitive, behavioral, or emotional impairments as judged by an investigator that would prevent the child from understanding or completing the intervention or assessment measures. 5. A child has plans to start a new treatment for attention/memory problems in the next 3 months. 6. Currently on or planning to begin active neoplastic therapy, as the side effects may significantly impair ability to participate in physical activity. 7. Unable or unwilling to travel to NIH or DFCI/BCH for the evaluations. 8. History of medical non-compliance or difficulty completing previous required study tasks or visits that suggest the participant would not follow through with the home study procedures. PARENT OR GUARDIAN EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1\. Parent or guardian of an ineligible subject
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Brain surgery delirium: can real-time monitoring protect older patients?
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- Can trained immune cells outsmart brain tumors?
- Digital tests may offer a new way to track brain health in tumor patients