Multimodal Physical Exercise and Functional Rehabilitation Program in Oncological Patients with Cancer-Related Fatigue—A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy and survival time implies an increase in the possible side-effects of pharmacological treatments in patients. Cancer-related fatigue is one of these side-effects. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multimodal program of physical exercise and functional rehabilitation on asthenia, pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue. Methods: This was a randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial, with two arms (experimental and control group), and it was conducted over the course of a year in the Oncology Hospitalization Unit at the University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain. Participants (n = 48) were assessed at three points during the study. The first assessment was prior to hospital discharge, the second assessment was after 15 days, and the final assessment was at one month post-hospital follow-up. The intervention lasted one month. The main variables studied were the dependency levels (Barthel), cancer-related fatigue (FACT-An), health-related quality of life (EuroQoL-5D), functional capacity (SPPB), and kinesiophobia (TSK-F). Results: Sample size (n = 44). Mean age 63.46 ± 12.36 years. Significant differences between control and experimental group participants in Barthel, FACT-An, TSK-F, and SPPB scores at follow-up and final assessment. Conclusions: There are beneficial effects of a multimodal physical exercise and functional rehabilitation program in improving the autonomy of cancer-related fatigue patients.

Suppressive effects of exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells: A narrative review of the influence of exercise mode, volume, and intensity

“… 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Indeed, a robust body of evidence now exists on the safety and effectiveness of exercise as medicine, either during or post-cancer treatments, to improve various health-related cancer outcomes, such as fatigue, quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, neuromuscular strength, physical function, body weight, and body composition (both fat mass and lean mass), as well as the ability to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 Furthermore, exercise is associated with a lower risk for the development of a range of cancers as well as reduced recurrence and improved survival in patients with cancer. 15 , 16 , 17 The underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood; however, over the past 2 decades, several avenues of preclinical and clinical research have investigated the effects of acute and chronic exercise-conditioned serum on different cancer cell lines in vitro (e.g., breast, prostate, and colon).…”