Current Projects at the Dieli-Conwright Laboratory
A major theme of our laboratory is broadly the examination of Metabolic Dysregulation and Alterations in Body Composition through exercise-based energy balance interventions across the cancer continuum. Within this context, we evaluate biomarkers linked to poor prognosis including metabolic dysregulation (i.e., insulin resistance, hyperglycemia) and negative changes of body composition (i.e., obesity, sarcopenia) and efficacy of exercise-based strategies to mitigate these biomarkers, across many of our investigations. Additional sub-themes of our laboratory include:
Systemic and Adipose Tissue Inflammation
The AIM Trial: Taking AIM at Breast Cancer: Targeting Adiposity and Inflammation with Movement to Improve Prognosis in Breast Cancer Survivors(NCT04720209)
Main Objective: To examine the effects of circuit-based vs. traditional aerobic and resistance exercise interventions on systemic and adipose tissue inflammation in early-stage, obese breast cancer survivors.
Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Cardiovascular Health
High Intensity Interval Training for Stage I-III Breast Cancer Patient Undergoing Anthracycline Chemotherapy (NCT02454777)
Main Objective: To examine the effects of a HIIT intervention on vascular function in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairments
The CLARITY Trial: Improving Cognitive Function Through High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy (NCT04724499)
Main Objective: To examine the effects of a HIIT intervention on cognitive function in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
The HYPE Trial: High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Young Adult Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors (NCT05740839)
Main Objective: To examine the effect of a virtually supervised HIIT intervention on cognitive, physical, and emotional health needs of young adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Immobility
The MOBILITY Trial: Exercise as a Preventive Agent to Combat Immobility in Patients with Ovarian or Endometrial Cancers Receiving Chemotherapy (NCT04997096)
Main Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a 16-week virtually supervised strength and aerobic training program in ovarian and endometrial cancer patients receiving first-line chemotherapy after surgery and its effects on lower extremity function.
Multimodal Energy Balance Approaches to Manage Treatment Toxicity
The FASTER Trial: Pilot Study of the Impact of a Combined Intermittent Fasting and Exercise Intervention on Metabolic Markers in Patients with Advanced, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer (NCT04708860)
Main Objective: To examine the tolerability of a 12-week prolonged nightly fasting and exercise intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer and its impact on metabolic markers and quality of life.
Exercise Interventions Tailored for Underrepresented Minorities with Cancer
The ROSA Trial: Reducing Metabolic Dysregulation in Obese Latina Breast Cancer Survivors through Physical Activity (NCT04717050)
Main Objective: To examine the effects of a supervised exercise program and unsupervised exercise program on metabolic dysregulation in early-stage Latina breast cancer survivors.
The THRIVE Trial: Testing Home-Based Exercise Strategies to Improve Exercise Participation and Cardiovascular Health in Underserved Minority Patients with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy (NCT05327452)
Main Objective: To determine whether a 16-week, home-based, aerobic and resistance exercise intervention will increase physical activity levels in Black and Hispanic breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer patients.
The POWER Trial: Exercise to Enhance Cardiovascular Health among Black Prostate Cancer Patients with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (NCT05327465)
Main Objective: To examine the effects of the exercise intervention on CVD risk factors assessed by the Framingham Risk Score.
Blood Cancers and Treatment-Induced Abnormalities
The RESTART Trial: Impact of Exercise on the Complications of Corticosteroids in Patients with Graft-Versus-Host Disease following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (NCT05236062)
Main Objective: To determine whether a 12-week, home-based, virtually supervised, aerobic and resistance exercise intervention is feasible in patients diagnosed with acute or chronic GVHD and whether it will improve glycemic control, body composition, physical fitness and function, and patient-reported outcomes.
The PROTECT Trial: Prehabilitation Exercise Training in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (NCT05706766)
Main Objective: To examine the effect of a prehabilitative aerobic and resistance exercise program on muscular strength in multiple myeloma patients scheduled to receive autologous stem cell transplant.
Advanced Disease and Skeletal Muscle Abnormalities
The RE-BUILD Trial: Resistance exercise combined with protein supplementation for skeletal muscle mass in people with pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy (NCT05356117)
Main Objective: To determine whether an 8-week virtually supervised resistance exercise intervention combined with protein supplementation is feasible in pancreatic cancer patients initiating chemotherapy and if it will improve skeletal muscle mass.