Recruiting
Phase 2
Phase 3

PartnerMatchPLUS

Sponsor:

McMaster University

Code:

NCT07408128

Conditions

Cancer

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 60+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Peer matching

Quailfied Exercise Professional (QEP) Support

Study Details

Brief summary:

Background:

As Canada's population ages, the number of older adults facing cancer is on the rise. By 2030, 23% of Canadians will be over 65, and two in five will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This situation is compounded by many older adults experiencing functional decline and social isolation, impacting their quality of life (QOL). While regular exercise can mitigate these effects, older adults with cancer often struggle to meet exercise guidelines, leading to decreased physical and mental well-being.

Objectives:

Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, virtually delivered peer-based exercise intervention designed specifically for older adults with cancer.

Methods:

We will conduct a randomized trial with three groups involving older adults (65 years and older) who have a previous cancer diagnosis. Participants will be divided into three groups: one group will receive peer support along with tailored guidance from qualified exercise professionals (PartnerMatchPLUS), another group will receive peer support only (PartnerMatch), and the third group will receive usual care with no intervention. Over 10 weeks, participants will engage in a structured exercise program supported by peer matching, a peer support guide, educational materials about exercise guidelines, and a Fitbit to track their activity levels. We will assess outcomes at four time points: baseline, post intervention, post tapering, and at a six-month follow-up. Key outcomes include measured and self-reported exercise volume, social support levels, QOL, frailty, and physical activity enjoyment. In addition to these measures, we will conduct one-on-one virtual interviews to explore participants' experiences and the mechanisms that make peer support effective.

Impact:

If successful, this intervention could serve as a scalable model to encourage physical activity, promote social interaction, and ultimately enhance the psychosocial well-being of older adults with cancer.

Conditions

Cancer

Study ID

NCT07408128

Start date

Sep 1, 2026

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

May 30, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

May 30, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 60+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

1. English speaking;
2. older adults (>60 years);
3. living beyond a cancer diagnosis (any type or stage of cancer at any stage of treatment);
4. living in Canada;
5. have been medically cleared for exercise; and
6. have consistent access to a internet-connected mobile device.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. self-report any chronic condition, cognitive impairment, or injury that prevents participation in independent moderate intensity exercise,
2. do not pass medical clearance via the Get Active Questionnaire, or
3. had recent (in the last 4 weeks) or have planned surgery of any kind (including reconstructive surgery) in the next 6 months

Study Design

Enrollment

183 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: PartnerMatchPLUS

This group will have dyads take part together in weekly virtual sessions with a qualified exercise professional (QEP) for 10 weeks. Sessions will last 1 hour. The QEP will provide tailored exercise counselling for both individuals in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, and current fitness level with an overall goal of having them meet exercise guidelines for cancer survivors by the intervention end. A standardized guide will be used to deliver weekly sessions, personalized to participants' goals. Content discussed at sessions will include informational support (benefits of exercise), tangible assistance (suggestions for an exercise program), emotional support (overcoming barriers), and esteem support (encouragement). For four weeks following the 10-week intervention, the QEP will be available for consultation to answer questions as needed.

active comparator: PartnerMatch

Dyads in this group will independently communicate and support each other around exercise for 10 weeks. They will not have contact with the study QEP during the intervention or tapering period. They will be asked to check in with their partner at least once per week but otherwise will structure their communication (mode and frequency) with their matched peer. After the final assessment time point, dyads in this group will be offered a single virtual session with the study QEP to discuss exercise-related questions. They will be asked to document any exercise-related questions that come up during the study period to be answered during the QEP session.

no intervention: Usual Care

Participants in this group will receive no intervention. They will not be introduced to a partner and will not communicate with the study QEP throughout the project. They will be offered a single session with the study QEP after the final assessment (and asked to track questions).

Interventions

Peer matching

A Research Coordinator (RC) will match all participants into dyads after consent and baseline data have been completed based on evidence-informed criteria. To be matched participants must be in the same time zone, same sex, and be in the same age range. Beyond these core criteria, we will match based on personal and cancer-related characteristics (i.e., type, stage, treatment status, and exercise preferences). Matched peers in the two intervention groups only (not the control group) will be introduced to each other by the RC on Zoom after randomization. Participants in these two groups will be asked to independently communicate and support their partner around exercise for the duration of the study. They will be given an evidence-based peer support guide (with information on goal setting, communicating with peers, types of support, communication preferences, and study team contact information) an infographic on activity guidelines for older adult cancer survivors, and a Fitbit Inspire.

Quailfied Exercise Professional (QEP) Support

The QEP will provide tailored exercise counselling for both individuals in the dyad based on personal circumstances, cancer-related characteristics, side effects, and current fitness level with an overall goal of having them meet exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. A standardized guide, used in our pilots, will be used to deliver weekly sessions, personalized to participants' goals. The QEP will have advanced training in exercise for cancer. For four weeks following the 10-week intervention, the QEP will be available for consultation ("tapering" period) to answer questions as needed.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in exercise volume [ Time Frame: Post intervention (10-weeks post baseline) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jenna Smith-Turchyn, PT, PhD

905-869-0599smithjf@mcmaster.ca

Locations

McMaster University

Recruiting

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S1C7

Contacts

Research Coordinator

289-426-3685ssincla@mcmaster.ca

Principal Investigator:

Jenna Smith-Turchyn, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

McMaster University

Last update posted

Aug 31, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • cancer
  • peer support
  • exercise
  • rehabilitation

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by McMaster University on 2026-08-31.