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People living with cancer in regional and rural communities will soon have access to two life-changing clinical trials at Barwon Health

Cancer Council Victoria has paved the way for developing two crucial clinical trials at Barwon Health with support from the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency.

The 2021 Clinical Trials Management Scheme competitive grant has supported the development of the first regional Allied Health Clinical Trials Unit, based at the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre at Barwon Health, Geelong. 

The unit, led by oncology physiotherapist Catherine Williams, is working with allied health clinicians, research and industry partners and consumers of cancer care, to develop resources and build capacity in the allied health workforce to lead more clinical trials.

“The design and delivery of trials by clinicians such as physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, psychologists, speech pathologists are a vital part in providing the best care for people impacted by cancer, with a particular focus on supporting people to prepare for cancer treatment, minimise the impacts of the diagnosis and treatment, and recover after treatment,” Catherine said.

“Allied health plays a key role in the diagnosis and supportive care of the physical, emotional, psychological and day-to-day practical impacts of cancer and its treatments, both in the immediate and longer term.”

In applying for the grant, Catherine was particularly interested in people in regional and rural areas having more access to clinical trials closer to home.

She said that thanks to the grant, in the next 12 months, Allied Health will take the lead in the running of two trials.

The first trial is to help monitor the exercise of people diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are doing prehabilitation in preparation for a stem cell transplant. The second trial is to investigate the impact of different exercise programs using a new device for the prevention of a condition known as trismus in people diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

“The first trial involves the use of heart rate monitors and a unique digital platform designed by the team at the Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) at Deakin University that allows physiotherapists and exercise physiologists working in the Oncology Rehabilitation team to closely monitor a person’s heart rate while they are exercising, whether they are in the clinical setting or hours away at home, in real-time,” Catherine said.

Catherine added that whilst the physiotherapist or exercise physiologist is monitoring the heart rate on the screen at Barwon Health, they can give the person real-time feedback with audio and text messages to increase or decrease their exercise intensity to maintain the specific physiological impact that they are aiming for.

“This trial has the potential to dramatically improve the way we prescribe and monitor exercise for people who live in regional, rural and remote areas where access to clinical services on site can be a barrier, particularly with interventions like prehabilitation where the frequency of exercise is paramount,” Catherne added.

Catherine was also excited about the second trial, being delivered by the Barwon Health Speech Pathology team, and supported by Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, aimed at helping head and neck cancer patients living with trismus, a condition of head and neck cancer that causes eating, breathing, and speaking issues that can become a chronic, life-long condition.

“This trial is part of a group of trials coming out of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where they are investigating the timing and type of exercises, and the use of a new device designed by their team, on the emergence of trismus symptoms, and the management of trismus once it has been diagnosed,” Catherine added.

“The trial also provides an invaluable opportunity to improve the way we support our patients with head and neck cancer to access a program and device that is at the leading edge of research.”

Cancer Council Victoria’s Head of Research Governance and Business Operations, Ms Amy Shelly, said clinical trials play a critical role in answering questions about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as improving psychological, supportive, and palliative care outcomes.

“Thanks to the health professionals and community members that have conducted or participated in clinical trials, as well as the funders of this research, we have achieved major improvements in overall survival and quality of life of people affected by cancer,” Amy said.

“Despite this, recruitment of patients in clinical trials remains an ongoing challenge for the Victorian cancer sector. This is particularly difficult amongst people from rural and regional areas.

“Cancer Council Victoria is committed to increasing investment in clinical trials, improving awareness and access for all Victorians and diversifying cancer research. We work collaboratively with government and the healthcare sector to help patients access clinical trials that may help them to live well and live longer.”

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said: “Victoria has long been a world leader in clinical trials targeting life-threatening cancers – we’re proud to support Barwon Health and the Cancer Council with this critical research.”

“Clinical trials are essential for our clinicians to achieve major improvements in overall survival and quality of life for people affected by cancer,” Ms Thomas said.

To find out more about research at Bawon Health, click here.

Image: Erika Kotowicz (L), senior physiotherapist in the Barwon Health Oncology Rehabilitation team and Catherine Williams (R), Project Lead of the Allied Health Clinical Trials Unit, reviewing the technology being used in the trial.