title: Effects of an Exercise Program in Colon Cancer Patients undergoing Chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fatigue is a common problem among colon cancer patients and typically increases during chemotherapy. Exercise during chemotherapy might have beneficial effects on fatigue. To investigate the short- and long-term effects of an exercise program in colon cancer patients during adjuvant treatment, the Physical Activity During Cancer Treatment study was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 33 colon cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (21 men and 12 women) were randomly assigned to either a group receiving an 18-wk supervised exercise program (n = 17) or to usual care (n = 16). The primary outcome was fatigue as measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and the Fatigue Quality List. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, physical fitness, anxiety, depression, body weight, and chemotherapy completion rate. Outcome assessment took place at baseline, postintervention (18 wk) and at 36 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention-to-treat mixed linear model analyses showed that patients in the intervention group experienced significantly less physical fatigue at 18 wk and general fatigue at 36 wk (mean between group differences, -3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.2 to -0.2; effect size [ES], -0.9 and -2.7; 95% CI, -5.2 to -0.1; ES, -0.8, respectively), and reported higher physical functioning (12.3; 95% CI, 3.3-21.4; ES, 1.0) compared with patients in the usual care group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Physical Activity During Cancer Treatment trial shows that an 18-wk supervised exercise program in colon cancer patients during chemotherapy is safe and feasible. The intervention significantly reduced physical fatigue at 18 wk and general fatigue at 36 wk. Considering the number of patients included in the present study, replication in a larger study population is required.
authors.affiliation: 1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; 2Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; 3Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO-IDIBELL), Barcelona, SPAIN; 4Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN; 5Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sport, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; 6Department of Medical Oncology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, THE NETHERLANDS; 7Department of Internal Medicine-Medical Oncology, Orbis Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, THE NETHERLANDS; 8Department of Internal Medicine, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, THE NETHERLANDS; 9Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; 10Department of Surgery, Rivierenland Hospital, Tiel, THE NETHERLANDS; 11Department of Internal Medicine, Hofpoort Hospital, Woerden, THE NETHERLANDS; 12Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS; and 13Cancer Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS.
authors.forename: Jonna K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Van Vulpen
authors.forename: Miranda J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Velthuis
authors.forename: Charlotte N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Steins Bisschop
authors.forename: Noémie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Travier
authors.forename: Bram J W
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Van Den Buijs
authors.forename: Frank J G
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Backx
authors.forename: Maartje
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Los
authors.forename: Frans L G
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Erdkamp
authors.forename: Haiko J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bloemendal
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koopman
authors.forename: Marnix A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Roos
authors.forename: Marlies J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Verhaar
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ten Bokkel-Huinink
authors.forename: Elsken
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Der Wall
authors.forename: Petra H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life