Study Examines Wearable Tech and Exercise for Pediatric and Young Adult Sarcoma Care
Summary
- Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are studying whether lifestyle, exercise and wearable devices can improve outcomes and quality of life for pediatric and young adult sarcoma patients.
- The 12-week randomized controlled trial will recruit newly diagnosed pediatric and AYA sarcoma patients, ages 12-39, who are beginning chemotherapy.
- What sets this study apart is its use of innovative technology for data analysis by collecting real-time data on patient movement, adherence and outcomes.
When a child or young adult is diagnosed with sarcoma, treatment often means months of grueling chemotherapy, with side effects that can linger for years. But a new study at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is aiming to change that narrative, harnessing the power of lifestyle, exercise and wearable devices to improve outcomes and quality of life for these patients.
The study is one of many projects energized by the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund (FCIF), a $60 million initiative launched by the Florida Department of Health. The fund supports innovative cancer research, clinical trials and prevention strategies across the state, with a focus on rapid, high-impact results. Harleen Kaur, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research scholar with expertise in nutrition and digital health at Sylvester, and Loren Yavelberg, Ph.D., a postdoctoral associate specializing in clinical exercise physiology, applied for the grant. They received $328,052 from the fund.
Mentored by co-principal investigators Tracy Crane, Ph.D., co-leader of the Cancer Control Program and director of lifestyle medicine, prevention and digital health at Sylvester and associate professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, and Jonathan Trent, Ph.D., director of sarcoma oncology and precision medicine at Sylvester and professor in the Miller School’s Division of Medical Oncology, the research team is launching a first-of-its-kind clinical trial to evaluate how a structured, multimodal exercise program can impact chemotherapy uptake, side effects and overall well-being in pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA) sarcoma patients.
Integrating Exercise Science and Precision Cancer Medicine
Joining Drs. Kaur, Yavelberg, Crane and Trent is Gina D’Amato, M.D., Sylvester’s clinical lead, sarcoma medical oncology, and professor in the Miller School’s Division of Medical Oncology.
“Sarcoma treatment is one of the most challenging areas in oncology,” Dr. D’Amato said. “By integrating exercise science with precision medicine, we’re not just treating cancer. We’re redefining what comprehensive care looks like for young patients.”
Together, this multidisciplinary team brings expertise in oncology, lifestyle medicine, exercise science, digital health and patient-centered care.
“Too often, the role of lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity during cancer treatment are overlooked, especially for children and young adults,” said Dr. Crane, who devised the study’s protocol. “Our goal is to show that physical activity isn’t just safe. It’s a vital part of the healing process.”
The Study: Exercise Meets Oncology
The 12-week randomized controlled trial will recruit newly diagnosed pediatric and AYA sarcoma patients, ages 12-39, who are beginning chemotherapy. Participants will be assigned to either a hybrid (in-person and virtual) exercise program combining aerobic, resistance and flexibility training or standard care without structured exercise.
Researchers will track chemotherapy completion rates, treatment-related symptom burden, physical functioning, quality of life and biomarkers of immune function and inflammation. The study’s aims are threefold:
• Feasibility and acceptability: Can young patients and their families realistically integrate exercise into their treatment routines?
• Chemotherapy uptake and mechanisms: Does exercise help patients tolerate and adhere to prescribed chemotherapy. If so, why?
• Side effect mitigation: Can exercise reduce common side effects of cancer treatment like fatigue, muscle loss and cardiovascular decline?
What sets this study apart is its use of innovative technology for data analysis. Physical activity monitors, 3D biomechanical software and a novel, video-based research platform, My Wellness Research, developed at Sylvester, will collect real-time data on patient movement, adherence and outcomes. These tools will allow researchers to personalize exercise prescriptions and analyze how different interventions affect chemotherapy tolerance and recovery.
“By integrating technology and advanced monitoring, we can tailor exercise plans to each patient’s needs and track their progress in ways never before possible,” Dr. D’Amato said. “This is the future of precision medicine, where lifestyle interventions are as personalized as the drugs we prescribe.”
The study is designed to reach all of Florida’s communities, ensuring that exercise interventions are accessible regardless of background or geography. Recruitment will leverage Sylvester’s electronic health records and partnerships with local clinics, with materials available in multiple languages.
“Our commitment goes beyond treatment. It’s about creating equal opportunities for recovery,” Dr. Yavelberg said. “Every child and young adult facing sarcoma deserves access to evidence-based supportive care that helps them live stronger, healthier lives.”
Why It Matters: Changing the Standard of Sarcoma Care
If successful, the research could establish exercise as a standard component of sarcoma treatment, improving treatment outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions and health care costs and improving long-term survival and quality of life. The team plans to build on what they learn in this trial, including the role of nutrition in sarcoma care, and pursue additional funding for a larger efficacy trial.
“This work has the potential to transform how we care for young people with cancer,” Dr. Kaur said. “It goes beyond hope. It’s about providing them with the right tools to include exercise as part of cancer care so they can feel stronger during and after treatment.”
As the trial gets underway, the Sylvester team is optimistic that their findings will pave the way for a new era in cancer care, one where lifestyle medicine, technology and personalized medicine work hand in hand to support the next generation of survivors.
Tags: cancer and exercise, cancer research, clinical trials, Division of Medical Oncology, Dr. Gina D'Amato, Dr. Jonathan Trent, Dr. Tracy Crane, Newsroom, precision medicine, sarcoma, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, technology