Home-Based Exercise Before Stem Cell Transplant in Multiple Myeloma
Tests a virtual home exercise program before stem cell transplant in adults with myeloma.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Prehabilitation Exercise Training in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Key facts
- Where
- Boston, United StatesSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with multiple myeloma who are waiting for their first transplant with their own stem cells. It tests a home-based exercise program started 8 weeks before the transplant.
- Age
- Over 18 years old.
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Multiple myeloma, on the waiting list for a first autologous stem cell transplant planned in 8 weeks at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
- Earlier treatment
- Planning an autologous stem cell transplant after 8 weeks, with or without other treatment given before it. This must be the first transplant.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Unstable angina, abnormal resting ECG, or a heart attack in the past month
- Spinal instability, spinal cord compression, or nerve problems that rule out exercise
- Spinal surgery or surgery for a pathological fracture within the last six weeks
- High risk of a pathological fracture of a weight-bearing bone
- More than 60 minutes of structured moderate to vigorous exercise per week
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBoston, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Trial code
- NCT05706766
- Record updated
- 22 January 2026
- Original description
The goal of this research study is to investigate whether a virtual, home-based, prehabilitation aerobic and resistance exercise (PARE) training program implemented 8 weeks prior to receiving autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for multiple myeloma participants will improve muscular strength, physical capacity, patient reported outcomes, and cardiometabolic health outcomes.Read full original descriptionShow less
Prehabilitation Exercise Training in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: The PROTECT Trial
The goal of this research study is to investigate whether a virtual, home-based, prehabilitation aerobic and resistance exercise (PARE) training program implemented 8 weeks prior to receiving autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for multiple myeloma participants will improve muscular strength, physical capacity, patient reported outcomes, and cardiometabolic health outcomes.
The names of the study interventions involved in this study are:
* Prehabilitative aerobic and resistance exercise (PARE) (virtually supervised 8-week aerobic and resistance exercise program) * Waitlist control (8-week normal activity behavior)
Inclusion: Over 18 years old; All patients will have a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, referral to DFCI transplant team, and assigned to the autologous transplantation waiting list for a first transplant; Planning to receive autologous stem cell transplant after 8 weeks with or without concurrent neoadjuvant treatments at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Medical clearance to perform moderate-vigorous intensity aerobic and resistance exercise intervention and fitness testing by their treating physician or a certified clinical exercise physiologist; Speak English; Currently participate in less than or equal to 60 minutes of structured moderate-vigorous intensity exercise/week; Willing to travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for necessary data collection; Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document; The effects of exercise on the developing fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to undergo a pregnancy test and to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control or abstinence) prior to study entry and for six months following duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is pregnant while participating on the trial, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
Exclusion: History of unstable angina, abnormal resting ECG and/or unstable angina or a heart attack in the previous month to allow safe completion of the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) or VO2peak test; Those who have had recent (within six weeks) spinal surgery or other intervention surgery for pathological fractures; Those deemed unsuitable to partake by the transplant or study team; Pre-existing musculoskeletal or cardiorespiratory disease, or metabolic diseases that could exacerbate with exercise, in addition to other conditions deemed unsafe by physician; Patients with other active malignancies requiring active therapy; Unable to travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for necessary data collection; Patients with known spinal instability, spinal cord compression or neurological deficits or contraindications that preclude exercise; Patients at high-risk of impending pathologic fracture of a weight-bearing bone (including spine, hip/femur and humerus) as determined by physician; Unable or unwilling to undertake an exercise program on a regular basis; Participate in more than 60 minutes of structured moderate to vigorous intensity exercise/week; Subjects, who in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.