Lidia B Alejo1, Itziar Pagola-Aldazabal1, Carmen Fiuza-Luces2, Daniel Huerga3, María Victoria de Torres4, Ana Soria Verdugo4, María Jesus Ortega Solano4, José Luis Felipe5, Alejandro Lucia1, Ana Ruiz-Casado6. 1. School of Sports Sciences, European University of Madrid; Research in Physical Activity and Health, Research Institute "i+12" (12 Octubre University Hospital), Madrid, Spain. 2. Research in Physical Activity and Health, Research Institute "i+12" (12 Octubre University Hospital), Madrid, Spain. 3. Department of Surgery, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Oncology, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 5. School of Sports Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 6. Department of Oncology, Puerta de Hierrro University Hospital, Majadahonda, Spain.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Prehabilitation is emerging as a method of preparing patients physically and mentally for the often disabling effects of cancer treatment. AIMS: This study aims to assess the feasibility and to explore the potential effects of a prehabilitation program consisting of educational physical exercise sessions in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment (NCRT). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a pilot study with 12 patients (3 males and 9 females, age 61 ± 7 years). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The program included six educational sessions of exercise during NCRT. Adherence to the intervention; quality of life (QoL); anxiety and depression; body mass index; physical fitness (peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), handgrip and dynamic leg strength); and physical activity (PA) levels were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data are reported as the mean ± standard deviation or medians and interquartile ranges for questionnaire-derived data. Secondary outcome measures were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. The threshold P value for significance was calculated after correction for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS: Adherence to the program was 64 of 72 possible exercise education sessions completed, i.e., 89%. We detected a trend toward a significant improvement in VO2peak after the intervention (P = 0.015), together with reduced scores for both depression (P = 0.017) and the QoL domain "emotional function" (P = 0.027). Mean levels of moderate to vigorous PA tended to increase after the exercise program (P = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise might be an effective prehabilitation strategy for surgery during the period of NCRT.
CONTEXT: Prehabilitation is emerging as a method of preparing patients physically and mentally for the often disabling effects of cancer treatment. AIMS: This study aims to assess the feasibility and to explore the potential effects of a prehabilitation program consisting of educational physical exercise sessions in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment (NCRT). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a pilot study with 12 patients (3 males and 9 females, age 61 ± 7 years). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The program included six educational sessions of exercise during NCRT. Adherence to the intervention; quality of life (QoL); anxiety and depression; body mass index; physical fitness (peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), handgrip and dynamic leg strength); and physical activity (PA) levels were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data are reported as the mean ± standard deviation or medians and interquartile ranges for questionnaire-derived data. Secondary outcome measures were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. The threshold P value for significance was calculated after correction for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS: Adherence to the program was 64 of 72 possible exercise education sessions completed, i.e., 89%. We detected a trend toward a significant improvement in VO2peak after the intervention (P = 0.015), together with reduced scores for both depression (P = 0.017) and the QoL domain "emotional function" (P = 0.027). Mean levels of moderate to vigorous PA tended to increase after the exercise program (P = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise might be an effective prehabilitation strategy for surgery during the period of NCRT.