Dominic O'Connor1,2,3, Matilde Mora Fernandez4,5, Gabriel Signorelli6,7,4, Pedro Valero4, Brian Caulfield6,7. 1. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. dominic.oconnor@insight-centre.org. 2. Insight Centre for Data Analytics, O'Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin, Belfield Campus, Dublin, Ireland. dominic.oconnor@insight-centre.org. 3. Oncoavanze, Seville, Spain. dominic.oconnor@insight-centre.org. 4. Oncoavanze, Seville, Spain. 5. University of Seville, Seville, Spain. 6. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. 7. Insight Centre for Data Analytics, O'Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin, Belfield Campus, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be a pragmatic short-term alternative to voluntary exercise to augment cancer rehabilitation. However, previous attempts to use NMES as an exercise modality in this cohort have been unsuccessful, largely due to the use of NMES protocols that were developed for other rehabilitation contexts. We assessed the effects of a personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention, designed with early-stage cancer rehabilitation in mind, on exercise capacity, lower body functional strength and quality of life in (QoL) in patients who are currently undergoing or have recently completed treatment for cancer. METHODS: Ten adult patients were recruited. A personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention was implemented in each case over a 4-8-week period. The 30-s sit-to-stand test (STS), 6-min walk test (6MWT) and EORTC QLQ C-30 were performed pre- and post-intervention. Patients completed semi-structured interviews post-intervention to explore their experiences and views on the intervention and its impact on their daily lives. RESULTS: Six of the 10 recruited patients completed the intervention and completed pre-and post-assessments. Four of 6 patients improved STS, 5 of 6 patients improved 6MWT and 4 of 6 patients improved Global QoL. Perceived benefits included improved muscle strength and more confidence when walking. CONCLUSION: A personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention appears safe and may improve functional capacity and QoL in adults who are undergoing or have recently completed treatment for cancer. Replication of these results in a controlled prospective study is warranted prior to clinical implementation.
PURPOSE: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be a pragmatic short-term alternative to voluntary exercise to augment cancer rehabilitation. However, previous attempts to use NMES as an exercise modality in this cohort have been unsuccessful, largely due to the use of NMES protocols that were developed for other rehabilitation contexts. We assessed the effects of a personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention, designed with early-stage cancer rehabilitation in mind, on exercise capacity, lower body functional strength and quality of life in (QoL) in patients who are currently undergoing or have recently completed treatment for cancer. METHODS: Ten adult patients were recruited. A personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention was implemented in each case over a 4-8-week period. The 30-s sit-to-stand test (STS), 6-min walk test (6MWT) and EORTC QLQ C-30 were performed pre- and post-intervention. Patients completed semi-structured interviews post-intervention to explore their experiences and views on the intervention and its impact on their daily lives. RESULTS: Six of the 10 recruited patients completed the intervention and completed pre-and post-assessments. Four of 6 patients improved STS, 5 of 6 patients improved 6MWT and 4 of 6 patients improved Global QoL. Perceived benefits included improved muscle strength and more confidence when walking. CONCLUSION: A personalised and progressive NMES exercise intervention appears safe and may improve functional capacity and QoL in adults who are undergoing or have recently completed treatment for cancer. Replication of these results in a controlled prospective study is warranted prior to clinical implementation.
Authors: Richard Crevenna; Christine Marosi; Manuela Schmidinger; Veronika Fialka-Moser Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2006-03-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Gabriel Ruiz Signorelli; Fedor Lehocki; Matilde Mora Fernández; Gillian O'Neill; Dominic O'Connor; Louise Brennan; Francisco Monteiro-Guerra; Alejandro Rivero-Rodriguez; Santiago Hors-Fraile; Juan Munoz-Penas; Mercè Bonjorn Dalmau; Jorge Mota; Ricardo B Oliveira; Bela Mrinakova; Silvia Putekova; Naiara Muro; Francisco Zambrana; Juan M Garcia-Gomez Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2019-10-29 Impact factor: 5.428