Exercise to enhance cardiovascular health among black men with prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy (the POWER trial): A study protocol

Background: Black men in the US are 1.8 and 2.2 times more likely to develop and die from prostate cancer (PCa) than non-Hispanic White men, respectively, and have the highest incidence globally. Furthermore, Black men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for PCa face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to men of other racial groups. Therefore, we have designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the impact of exercise on CVD risk factors among Black man undergoing ADT. Methods: The POWER trial is a dual-arm RCT designed to examine the effects of a 16-week, culturally tailored, remotely supervised cardiovascular and strength exercise program on Black men with PCa receiving ADT. Sixtytwo patients will be randomized in a 1:1 allocation to either the exercise intervention or a waitlist control group. The patient population includes adult males who self-identify as Black, receiving ADT for at least four months prospectively at the time of recruitment. The primary outcome is the CVD risk assessed using the Framingham Risk Score. The secondary and exploratory outcomes include physical fitness and function, patient-reported outcomes, and clinical events at a one-year follow-up. Discussion: The POWER Trial evaluates a culturally tailored exercise program for Black men with PCa undergoing ADT, focusing on improving cardiovascular health. The findings of the study are expected to inform a larger phase clinical trial to examine long-term CVD-related clinical outcomes. Ultimately, our findings and subsequent trials would narrow the gap in health disparities among the communities of Black men with PCa. Trial registration: NCT05327465