Remote Health-Coaching for Lifestyle Changes in Older Myeloma Patients

About the Study

In Collaboration with HealthTree Foundation, Dr. Shaji Kumar, a myeloma specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, is conducting a pilot study of remote/telehealth health-coaching lifestyle intervention in ≥65 year-old specifically for patients suffering from fatigue in multiple myeloma. The goal is to recruit 20 patients. Fatigue can interfere with daily activities, social relationships and mood, having a negative impact on quality of life. Managing fatigue can be challenging, however, gentle exercise along with health coaching may help improve the symptoms of fatigue. This study is being done to gather information regarding the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based physical activity program with remote monitoring and health coaching in older patients with multiple myeloma who have fatigue.

Study Elegibility

To be eligible for the study, you need to:

• Have a diagnosis of multiple myeloma

• Have received one or more treatments for multiple myeloma

• Be currently on maintenance treatment 

• Be 65 years or older

• Have moderate or higher fatigue based on your rating to the question: rate your average fatigue over the last week, where 0 is no fatigue and 10 is extreme fatigue.

• Have wifi connection, as the program requires wifi to operate.

Study Requirements

If you are willing to participate and are eligible for this study, you will be asked to complete a remote monitoring program using an Android Computer tablet connected to your Wi-Fi, a pulse oximeter and a Garmin activity tracker.  The pulse oximeter and activity tracker communicate wirelessly with the tablet.  The activity tracker will be worn on your wrist for the length of the study and is also a watch. The pulse oximeter is worn on your fingertip right before and right after the exercises.

During this time, you will talk once a week on the phone with a health coach. These calls last anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how much you have to say. 

At the end of the 12 weeks you may be asked to complete a brief telephone interview to share your experience with the home-based rehab and health coaching.  The health coaching calls and the interview may be recorded to evaluate the health coach and the program. The recordings will then be destroyed at the end of the study.

As part of being in this research, you will need to answer questionnaires and wear a research activity monitor at the beginning of the study and at completion of the study (3 months). All materials will be sent to you along with supplies to return the materials and devices to the clinic.

If you are interested, please click on the button below to express your interest and one of our Patient Navigators will contact you.

I AM INTERESTED