Comparison of the effects of a supervised exercise program and usual care in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Although exercise has been addressed as a promising therapy for cancer adverse effects, few studies have evaluated the beneficial effects of exercise for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients during chemotherapy.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of supervised-exercise intervention with those of usual care on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, fatigue, emotional distress, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy.


METHODS
Patients with stage II or III CRC admitted for adjuvant chemotherapy were allocated to either a supervised-exercise group that received a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program or a "usual care" control group for 12 weeks. The outcomes, QoL, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, emotional distress, physical activity, fatigue, and sleep quality, were assessed at baseline and after intervention.


RESULTS
Significant interactions between intervention and time were observed for the role functioning and pain subscales of QoL and physical activity level. The time main effects were significant for the secondary outcomes: hand-grip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity level, and physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, and pain subscales of QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with usual care, the supervised exercise demonstrated larger effects than usual care on physical activity level and role functioning and pain subscales of QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Supervised-exercise program is suggested to be incorporated as part of supportive care to promote the cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical activity level, and QoL of patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy.
Author Affiliations: School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy (MsLin and Dr Tsauo) and Department of Nursing (Drs Shun and Lai), College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and Department of Surgery,College of Medicine, National Taiwan University and Hospital (Dr Liang), Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Kuan-Yin
KY
Lin
Shiow-Ching
SC
Shun
Yeur-Hur
YH
Lai
Jin-Tung
JT
Liang
Jau-Yih
JY
Tsauo
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000451:nursing*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome