The Facts
- Pilot study in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who may have exercise barriers.
- The tele-Gerofit exercise intervention includes training focused on meeting physical activity guidelines and incorporating cardiovascular, strength, and balance training. Sessions will also include a mindfulness component, warm-up, cool-down, and safety checks.
- The trial is being conducted at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, by Charity I. Oyedeji, MD, assistant professor of medicine.
- Inclusion criteria include:
- Have a diagnosis of SCD (any genotype) confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, or genotyping
- Age 40 years or older
- Understand and speak fluent English
- The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a personalized exercise training program adapted from Gerofit to improve physical health and quality of life for adults with SCD.
A Chat with Charity I. Oyedeji, MD
Why is this study important?
The Sickle-Fit virtual exercise study is important because older adults with SCD are at high risk of premature functional decline. Interventions to help them improve physical function and maintain independence are urgently needed.
The Sickle-Fit program is a virtual supervised exercise program for older adults with SCD (age 40 and older). It includes aerobics, strength training, mobility exercises, and mindfulness. It was adapted from an existing program for veterans called Gerofit, which has been shown to improve physical function, mental health, social connectedness, and survival for older adults.
When did enrollment start?
We enrolled our first patient on March 27, 2023. We have enrolled four cohorts, and after each cohort, we interview the participants. We recognize that the first cohorts include the most enthusiastic participants, and with each cohort, we learn more about what makes people stick with an exercise program.
When do you expect to close enrollment?
I expect we will close enrollment in June 2025. However, we plan to open an efficacy trial for Sickle-Fit next summer.
How is the study going so far?
Our participants enjoy this program, which has helped them become more confident about exercising. They like that they can exercise virtually in the comfort of their home but still work out with a group and have guidance from an exercise expert and a sickle cell expert.
If the study is successful, how do you see this research changing the care of patients with SCD?
If this pilot study is successful, it will provide evidence that the Sickle-Fit personalized virtual exercise program is safe, feasible, and enjoyable for older adults living with SCD. It will show that using a virtual format and tailored approach for exercise is an option to help older adults with a lifelong chronic illness like SCD safely meet national recommended exercise guidelines of at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. We adapted and optimized the Sickle-Fit program during this pilot study. We have rich quantitative and qualitative information that we will use in the next phase of this work, where we will assess the efficacy of Sickle-Fit to improve outcomes like physical function, pain, and quality of life in a more extensive study.
