JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Young adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors and young adult patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas are at risk for cognitive impairment, reduced physical fitness and function, as well as poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychosocial health. Exercise improves these outcomes; however, both populations remain understudied with respect to exercise interventions. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a promising intervention, as it is time-efficient, safe, tolerable, enhances cognition in healthy young adults, and improves physical fitness and QOL in adult cancer patients and survivors. However, feasibility of HIIT is not yet understood in pediatric brain tumor survivors and IDH mutant glioma patients.

Objective:

The HYPE study is a pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to 1) determine the feasibility of a HIIT exercise intervention for young adult pediatric brain tumor survivors and IDH mutant glioma patients, and 2) determine the preliminary efficacy of HIIT to improve physical fitness and function, cognition, HRQOL and psychosocial health, 3) explore exercise sustainability, and the impact of social determinants of health on study outcomes will also be explored.

Methods:

A total of 30 young adult pediatric brain tumor survivors and IDH mutant glioma patients (18-45 years of age) will be randomized to an exercise or control group. The exercise group performs virtually supervised HIIT 3 times per week for 16 weeks, followed by 16 weeks of self-directed exercise. Exercise involves indoor cycling, and sessions include 20-minutes of high- and low-intensity intervals (high intensity=60 seconds 60-90% peak power output; low intensity=60 seconds 10% peak power output), and a 5-minute warm-up and cool-down. The control group performs a 16-week stretching program. Feasibility of the HIIT intervention is measured by the amount of exercise sessions completed, including total minutes and intensity, and barriers to exercise adherence. Cognition, physical fitness and function, HRQOL, and psychosocial health are measured using standardized assessments and self-report questionnaires. Exercise sustainability is measured by change in study outcomes following the self-directed follow-up period, and social determinants of health are assessed using a self-report questionnaire.

Results:

Baseline data collection began in February 2024, and 9 participants have been enrolled as of November 2025. The projected study end date is May 2026. Data analysis is planned to begin June 2026, and findings will be published in the Spring of 2028.

Conclusions:

This study is the first to utilize a virtually supervised HIIT intervention in both populations. The findings will elucidate the feasibility of HIIT to design and power a randomized control trial to address cancer- and treatment-related sequelae in brain tumor patients. They will also provide insights into the sustainability of HIIT and impact of social determinants of health. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05740839 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05740839