EMPOWER: Exercise and Movement to Promote Our patients With gynecologic cancer to Enhance Resiliency

The EMPOWER Study is a pilot study focused on improving the health and well-being of patients undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancer. This study is testing whether a personalized, digital exercise program and a virtual peer support group can help patients stay active, maintain strength, and improve quality of life during treatment.

Patients seen at any time at UCSF who are receiving systemic treatment for a newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer may be eligible to enroll. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the EMPOWER program or enhanced usual care. The EMPOWER program combines a digital health platform (“Move” by Sword Health), a wearable fitness tracker, and support from a licensed digital physical therapist, along with a virtual peer support group led by a certified health coach from UCSF. Patients will participate for 16 weeks.

This study is unique in bringing together digital health tools and group support to make exercise and wellness programs more accessible to patients during active cancer treatment. By doing so, it aims to reduce barriers to care, promote physical function, and improve patient-centered outcomes.

Funding for this study is primarily through the UCSF RAP Award and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology/Foundation for Women’s Cancer. Further information regarding the study can be found here (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06809933).