Strength Training in Improving Pain and Quality of Life in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the feasibility of a 6 month, twice weekly supervised strength training intervention in patients with multiple myeloma. (Cohort 1)
II. To assess the feasibility of a 6 month behavioral intervention to prompt an increase in weekly physical activity in patient with multiple myeloma. (Cohort 2)

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the adherence rate of patients during a 6 month intervention program.

II. To assess the eligibility and recruitment rate for the trial among patients with multiple myeloma.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. Comparison of disease activity parameters, physical activity level, clinical symptoms, medication, psycho-oncological parameters before, during and after intervention.

II. Determine factors that may influence a persons' willingness to participate in the trial.

III. Investigate "immune fitness" by frequencies and function of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood.

OUTLINE: Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 cohorts.

COHRT 1 (STRENGTH TRAINING): Patients receive a Fitbit to track their physical activity, and complete an in-person personalized and supervised full-body strength training program over 1 hour twice weekly (BID) up to 52 sessions for 6 months.

COHORT 2 (BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION): Patients receive a Fitbit to track their physical activity, and complete an unsupervised walking program daily at home, increasing physical activity stepwise weekly, for 6 months.

After completion of study, patients are followed up every 3 months for 1 year.