The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of modulated mid-frequency whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) combined with nutritional therapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
This study aims to combine the applicability and effectiveness of a form of strength training with targeted nutritional training. For this purpose, training with electromyostimulation (application of modulated mid-frequency; WB-EMS) is carried out, which pursues the effect of cell activation and the improvement of muscle strength. The primary aim of the multimodal intervention presented here is to increase muscle mass and improve energy utilisation and metabolism. Patients should experience increased mobility and independence as a result of this intervention. In the study, patients are randomly assigned to one of two groups, with one group receiving an application of electricity and the other group performing standardised exercise therapy without electricity. Otherwise, the groups do not differ in the applications or tests. In addition, nutritional coaching takes place in both groups with digital nutritional coaching. Patients with a malignant tumour of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum or colon or rectum with medical therapy administered before or after surgery (neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy) and after surgery without further therapy can participate in the study. The aim is to compare the use of electromyostimulation in this multimodal approach regarding its effectiveness in terms of muscle growth compared to the conventional multimodal approach. The research hypothesis is that the additional training stimulus provided by the application of electricity leads to significantly higher muscle growth than conventional training without electricity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
88
supervised group training sessions at least once and optionally twice a week, lasting 11-20 minutes, over 12 weeks, 12-24 training sessions in total
supervised group training at least once a week, optional additional home-based training once a week, lasting 40 minutes, over 12 weeks, 12-24 training sessions in total
conventional nutritional counselling with guidelines and digital nutritional coaching
Universitätsklinikum Köln, Centrum für Integrierte Onkologie (CIO)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Muscle mass of the quadriceps muscle
Muscle mass of the quadriceps muscle (vastus lateralis / rectus femoris), cross-sectional diameter (CSD) using ultrasound. Muscle ultrasound represents a cheap and user-friendly, yet robust and reliable, method to monitor muscle mass.
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Body composition
Body composition including skeletal muscle mass, fat free mass, fat mass, total body water, body cell mass and extracellular mass, using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) (Nutriguard-MS)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Performance Status
Performance Status, with the help of Karnofsky Index (range 0 - 100, higher = better)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Endurance capacity
Endurance capacity, using spiroergometry measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) (higher = better)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Lower limb performance
Lower limb performance, using 1 minute sit-to-stand test (higher = better)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Upper limb performance
Upper limb performance, using hand grip strength dynamometry (higher = better)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Fatigue
Fatigue symptoms, using the 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT Fatigue Scale). The FACIT-Fatigue is a 13-item measure that assesses self-reported fatigue and its impact on daily activities and function. Score range 0-52 (higher = better)
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Time frame: Baseline and week 12
health-related Quality of life
Quality of life, using the EORTC QLG Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30-item instrument meant to assess some of the different aspects that define the quality of life of cancer patients. Score range 0-100 (higher = better)
Time frame: Baseline and week 12