Feasibility of a 12-Month Exercise Intervention in Postsurgical Colorectal Cancer Patients. (20th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heitkamp, Melanie; Spanier, Bianca; von Korn, Pia; Knapp, Sebastian; Groß, Claudia; Haller, Bernhard; Halle, Martin
• Other Names: Pedersen Bente K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Translational sports medicine. Volume 2023(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-20
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1155/2023/4488334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2573-8488

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Extensive physical activity (PA; ≥18 MET∗ h/week, MET metabolic equivalent of tasks hours) postcancer diagnosis has shown favorable effects on colorectal cancer disease-free survival. However, the feasibility of introducing this high volume of PA in this patient group is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the F-PROTECT study was to evaluate the feasibility of extensive and prolonged PA (≥18 MET∗ h/week over 12 months) in colorectal cancer patients with the primary objectives to (1) recruit 50 patients within 12 months and (2) reach an attendance rate of ≥70%. Methods . Single-armed, bicentric, prospective intervention study in colorectal cancer patients (≤80 years; UICC II/III Union for International Cancer Control) after histopathological confirmed R 0-resection who were consecutively recruited from visceral surgery units of 10 clinics in Germany. Recruitment rates were calculated using screening logs. Intervention was a 12-month endurance-focused exercise program with supervised and home-based training. Attendance rates defined as ≥70% participation in training sessions were calculated by training diaries. Results . Out of 521 patients who were screened for eligibility, 50 (23 female; 59 ± 10 years, UICC 44% II, 56% III; adjuvant chemotherapy 60%) were recruited within 15 months. Mean duration between surgery and first training was 103 ± 57 days. Training attendance rate was 64% (including 9 dropouts). Six (12%) participants reached ≥18 MET∗ h/week in ≥70% of training sessions between 4–12 months. 28 adverse events ( n = 9 serious) occurred, however, were not assessed as training related. Conclusions . The present intervention involving a combination of supervised and home-based exercise training in postsurgical colorectal cancer patients was not feasible. Strategies specifically designed for this patient group must be developed and investigated to motivate long-term PA. Registration . The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01991847 ).