Image

Scalable TELeheaLth Cancer CARe: The STELLAR Program to Treat Cancer Risk Behaviors

Scalable TELeheaLth Cancer CARe: The STELLAR Program to Treat Cancer Risk Behaviors

Recruiting
18 years and older
All
Phase N/A

Powered by AI

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to improve cancer patient's health, survival, and quality of life by dispelling risk behaviors for Northwestern Memorial Health Care (NMHC) patients who are cancer survivors.

The main question[s] STELLAR aims to answer are:

  • How best to combine three behavior interventions (physical activity promotion, smoking cessation, obesity treatment) into one treatment.
  • Evaluate the reach of the program. We will look at the number, proportion, and representativeness of participants in terms of disease characteristics, socioeconomic status, telehealth readiness, and race/ethnicity.
  • Evaluate the effects of the STELLAR program relative to enhanced usual care (information provision) on cancer risk behaviors, patient care access, care quality, and communication.

Participants will be provided goals related to their physical activity, smoking, and/or weight loss and asked to track their health behaviors via an app, excel file, or on paper. At baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months into the study, participants will provide survey responses and physical measurements like height and weight. Additionally, those in the Facilitated group will complete 12 telehealth sessions with study staff to discuss progress towards their study goals.

Researchers will compare the Facilitated group to the Self Guided group to see if the Facilitated intervention group is able to reach more participants that enhances care only.

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to decrease adverse outcomes and improve cancer patient's health, survival, and quality of life by dispelling risk behaviors for Northwestern Memorial Health Care (NMHC) patients.

The main question[s] STELLAR aims to answer are:

  • How best to combine three existing effective cancer risk behavior interventions (physical activity promotion, smoking cessation, obesity treatment) into one treatment program within the existing NMHC environment.
  • Evaluate the reach of the FACILITATED program. We will look at the number, proportion, and representativeness of individuals who are willing to participate in terms of disease characteristics, socioeconomic status, telehealth readiness, and race/ethnicity.
  • Evaluate the effects of the FACILITATED program relative to enhanced usual care (information provision) on cancer risk behaviors, patient care access, care quality, healthcare utilization, patient-provider communication, cost and health outcomes (symptoms and quality of life).

Participants will be recruited through several channels (MyNM, direct outreach from research staff, EDW). Interested patients will then be randomly assigned to the STELLAR program arm, or Enhanced Usual Care. Participants in the STELLAR program will be enrolled for a year into the program. Participants will be provided goals related to their physical activity, smoking, and/or weight loss and asked to track their health behaviors via an app, excel file, or on paper. At baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months into the study, participants will provide survey responses and physical measurements like height and weight. Additionally, those in the FACILITATED group will complete 12 telehealth sessions with study staff to discuss progress towards their study goals.

Researchers will compare the FACILITATED intervention group to the SELF GUIDED group to see if the FACILITATED intervention group is able to reach more participants that Self Guided only.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Northwestern Medicine patient
  • Over 18 years old
  • Meet at least 1 of the following 3 criteria:
  • Engage in <150 min/week of physical activity
  • BMI of ≥25
  • Report that they currently smoke or smoked within the last year
  • Diagnosed with any cancer (except non-melanoma skin)
  • Ability to attend telehealth visits either via landline, cell phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer
  • 3 months post curative intent treatment if BMI of ≥25 or engage in <150 min/week of physical activity
  • Post curative intent treatment if they currently smoke or smoked within the last year

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently in another dietary, weight loss, smoking cessation (including cessation pharmacotherapy), or physical activity treatment/intervention.
  • Limited level of oral and written English or Spanish
  • Cognitively impaired adults
  • Prisoners
  • Participants will be excluded from the physical activity and weight loss interventions (but not the smoking cessation component) for:
  • Absolute contraindications to exercise (i.e., acute myocardial infarction, complete heart block, acute congestive heart failure, unstable angina, uncontrolled hypertension), metastatic disease or planned elective surgery
  • Pregnant or plans to become pregnant.
  • Individuals engaging in the physical activity or weight loss interventions must pass pre- physical activity participation screening or obtain medical clearance

Study details
    Obesity
    Smoking Cessation
    Physical Inactivity

NCT05687604

Northwestern University

15 October 2025

Step 1 Get in touch with the nearest study center
We have submitted the contact information you provided to the research team at {{SITE_NAME}}. A copy of the message has been sent to your email for your records.
Would you like to be notified about other trials? Sign up for Patient Notification Services.
Sign up

Send a message

Enter your contact details to connect with study team

Investigator Avatar

Primary Contact

  Other languages supported:

First name*
Last name*
Email*
Phone number*
Other language

FAQs

Learn more about clinical trials

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a study designed to test specific interventions or treatments' effectiveness and safety, paving the way for new, innovative healthcare solutions.

Why should I take part in a clinical trial?

Participating in a clinical trial provides early access to potentially effective treatments and directly contributes to the healthcare advancements that benefit us all.

How long does a clinical trial take place?

The duration of clinical trials varies. Some trials last weeks, some years, depending on the phase and intention of the trial.

Do I get compensated for taking part in clinical trials?

Compensation varies per trial. Some offer payment or reimbursement for time and travel, while others may not.

How safe are clinical trials?

Clinical trials follow strict ethical guidelines and protocols to safeguard participants' health. They are closely monitored and safety reviewed regularly.
Add a private note
  • abc Select a piece of text.
  • Add notes visible only to you.
  • Send it to people through a passcode protected link.