Despite a robust literature on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors, most of the research to date falls in two primary areas - aerobic exercise and breast cancer survivors. The focus on aerobic training alone is a concern as resistance training is critical for building the muscle mass necessary to maintain physical function. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for higher than tolerated adverse event rates during resistance training, particularly that which is unsupervised, despite a history of safe use of resistance training in other chronically diseased patient populations. The aim of this pilot study is to demonstrate the feasibility, safety and quality of life benefit of a home-based resistance-training program among colorectal cancer survivors. The investigators will recruit n=30 men and women with stage I-III colon cancer. Participants will be randomized to a home-based exercise intervention that combines aerobic and resistance exercise. Control arm participants will receive a home-based meditation program.
The investigators will recruit n=30 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer and randomize them to a 12-week resistance training intervention with Theraband and existing evidence- based materials or attention control using a meditation intervention. Using an electronic survey tool, patients will complete a baseline questionnaire on key outcomes (quality of life, fatigue, side effects) and potential confounders and will consent to a medical record review. These will also be assessed via at 4 weeks post randomization and 12 weeks post randomization. Participants in the intervention group will receive one-time in person instruction in the exercises derived from the existing evidence base of home-based resistance training programs for older adults and cancer survivors. They will be sent home with a book demonstrating the exercises, a log and a set of appropriate resistance bands. Weekly follow-up calls will occur for the duration of the intervention and updates on the call results will be provided to the colon cancer clinic nurse so that care is integrated. Participants in the attention control group will be mailed a meditation CD. Follow-up in the control group will parallel that of the intervention group, with weekly calls.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, Illinois, United States
Feasibility of recruitment
Ability to meet the recruitment goal of 30 subjects in a 14 month period, reflecting a participation rate of at least 20% among approached and eligible patients
Time frame: 14 months
Retention feasibility
Retention of at least 80% of randomized patients to the follow-up visit. A drop-out rate of less than 20%
Time frame: 14 months
Pain
Change in participant reported pain from baseline to 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
quality of life
Change in Quality of life score as measured by the FACT-C and FACT-F from baseline to 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Surgical Complications
Difference in rate of reported surgical complications between arms at 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Self-reported Exercise-related Injury
difference in self reported exercise-related injury rate between arms at 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.