Blood Flow Restriction Exercise in Patients With Pancreatic, Biliary Tract, and Liver Cancer (PREV-Ex)

Skeletal muscle morphology

Skeletal muscle morphology (au) measured through microscopy methods in skeletal muscle biopsies

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 10-13 weeks (T3).

Skeletal muscle protein levels

Skeletal muscle protein levels (au) measured through western blot in skeletal muscle biopsies

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 10-13 weeks (T3).

Skeletal muscle metabolism

Skeletal muscle metabolism (au) measured through biochemical methods in skeletal muscle biopsies

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 10-13 weeks (T3).

Body lean mass

Lean mass (kg) measured through bioimpedance and CT scan

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3).

Body fat mass

Fat mass (kg) measured through bioimpedance and CT scan

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3).

Handgrip strength

Maximal handgrip strength (kg) measured through hand dynamometry

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3).

Lower limb muscle strength

Maximal leg strength (kg) measured through isometric force measurements

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3).

Health-related quality of life

Disease specific helath related quality of life measured with The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) Summary Score (0-100 points with a higher score indicating a better quality of life)

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3), 5-6 months (T4).

Physical performance

Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB score points ranging from 0-12 with a higher score indicating a better physical function) measured through handgrip strength test, leg strength test, endurance test

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3).

Cancer-related fatigue

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Fatigue12 (EORTC-QLQ-FA12) Summary Score (0-100 points with a higher score indicating a better quality of life)

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3), 5-6 months (T4).

Nutritional status

Subjective Global Assessment Form scores (score ranging between 7 (normal) and 35 (severely malnourished)

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3), 5-6 months (T4).

Participants' experience of the exercise program

Focus group and individual interviews

Time frame: 3 months

Treatment related complications

days to recover after surgery will be assessed retrospectively through the patients' medical records.

Time frame: 4-7 weeks (T2)

Hospitalization

days of being hospitalized will be assessed retrospectively through the patients' medical records.

Time frame: 5-6 months (T4)

Physical activity

Measured through an activity tracker (hours)

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 1-4 weeks (T1), 4-7 weeks (T2), 10-13 weeks (T3), 5-6 months (T4).

Inflammatory markers

Inflammation (au) will be assessed from blood serum and plasma.

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 10-13 weeks (T3)

Prognostic markers

Prognostic markers (au) will be assessed from blood serum and plasma.

Time frame: Change from baseline (T0) to: 10-13 weeks (T3)