Enhancing Cancer Survivorship With Pickleball

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a pickleball program for cancer survivors and their family members or friends. The program is designed to increase physical activity, improve wellness, and allow individuals to work together to learn and practice the sport.

Official Title
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Project Rally: Enhancing Cancer Survivorship With Pickleball

Conditions
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Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Pickleball


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age > 18 years History of a cancer diagnosis excluding squamous and basal cell skin cancers Able to speak and read English Able to provide informed consent Able to pass a 2023 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire+ (PAR-Q+) (with appropriate physician clearance(s), as necessary) History of cancer diagnosis will be required for cancer survivor group; friend or family partners can be (but do not need to be) cancer survivors. Exclusion Criteria: Screen failure for exercise safety based on 2023 PAR-Q+ For cancer survivor group, history of squamous and basal cell skin cancers

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cancer Survivors<br>Participation will last approximately 4-6 months. Participants will be encouraged to attend Pickleball sessions at the YMCA at least twice a week. Each session will last 2 hours, and participants will be encouraged to attend at least one hour. Participants will receive a Fitbit to wear continuously 24/7 over 4-6 months to track steps and activity intensity. Participants will also be asked to wear an electronic device (accelerometer) over their right hip during specific time points throughout the study to better understand how pickleball participation contributes to physical activity levels. | Behavioral: Pickleball<br>* Participants will be encouraged to attend ≥2 pickleball sessions per week, with the YMCA offering 5 sessions per week. Sessions will last 2 hours, with participants encouraged to attend ≥1 hour. New players will receive instruction from a YMCA exercise trainer with a USA Pickleball Association Instructor Certification during sessions. At the end of each session, the YMCA trainer will note on attendance sheets whether participants engaged in training/skill development, open play, or both. Participants will be encouraged to engage in 5-10 minutes of structured warm-up exercise (i.e., walking laps around the courts and dynamic and static muscle stretches) prior to playing in each session, and they will be encouraged to perform cool-down stretches after they complete each session.<br>|
| Experimental: Family or Friend of Cancer Survivors<br>Participation will last approximately 4-6 months. Participants will be encouraged to attend Pickleball sessions at the YMCA at least twice a week. Each session will last 2 hours, and participants will be encouraged to attend at least one hour. Participants will receive a Fitbit to wear continuously 24/7 over 4-6 months to track steps and activity intensity. Participants will also be asked to wear an electronic device (accelerometer) over their right hip during specific time points throughout the study to better understand how pickleball participation contributes to physical activity levels. | Behavioral: Pickleball<br>* Participants will be encouraged to attend ≥2 pickleball sessions per week, with the YMCA offering 5 sessions per week. Sessions will last 2 hours, with participants encouraged to attend ≥1 hour. New players will receive instruction from a YMCA exercise trainer with a USA Pickleball Association Instructor Certification during sessions. At the end of each session, the YMCA trainer will note on attendance sheets whether participants engaged in training/skill development, open play, or both. Participants will be encouraged to engage in 5-10 minutes of structured warm-up exercise (i.e., walking laps around the courts and dynamic and static muscle stretches) prior to playing in each session, and they will be encouraged to perform cool-down stretches after they complete each session.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Recruited - Feasibility | The study will be deemed feasible if ≥ 50% of eligible participants are enrolled | 12 months | 
| Number of Participants who Complete Baseline Data Collection and Follow up Data Collection - Feasibility | The study will be deemed feasible if ≥ 75% of participants who complete baseline measures also complete follow up measures | 6 months | 
| Average Pickleball Session Attendance - Feasibility | The study will be deemed feasible if participants attend ≥ 75% of recommended sessions on average. | 6 months | 
| Participant Evaluation of Feasibility and Acceptability - Acceptability | Participants evaluation of feasibility and acceptability will be assessed with a questionnaire, adapted to fit the intervention. The questionnaire includes both Likert Scale and open-ended questions. An item-by-item basis and as average item score, with scores ≥4 (agree to strongly agree) indicating acceptability. Open-ended responses will be analyzed qualitatively to inform intervention improvement. | 6 months |