Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a physical exercise training program during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in individual patients with rectal cancer prior to major elective surgery

Abstract

This pilot demonstrated that a supervised outpatient physical exercise training program for individual patients with locally advanced resectable rectal cancer during NACRT is feasible for a large part of the patients, safe and seems able to prevent an often seen decline in physical fitness during NACRT. A larger study into the cost-effectiveness of this approach is warranted.

Pancreas Cancer-Associated Weight Loss

“…In cancer patients, PA has been shown to improve health‐related QOL and symptom burden. PA resulted in improved treatment tolerance and is associated with improved PFS and OS , suggesting that the benefit of PA is not confined to disease‐free survivors.…”

Human Movement Monitoring and Analysis for Prehabilitation Process Management

“…The primary type of activity used in prehabilitation for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery is that which is directed to stressing the aerobic system. The most common aerobic exercises are cycling and walking, though a number of supervised programmes have used running, cycling, rowing, climbing stairs, and cross-training activities [2]. These aerobic exercises are often performed for at least 30 minutes in either a supervised or home setting from 2-7 times per week [14][15][16][17].…”

“…After major abdominal surgery, there is a significantly increased number of metabolic demands on the body [1]. The level of aerobic fitness prior to surgery has been identified as an important factor for determining the ability to cope with these increased demands and postoperative outcomes [2]. To address fitness issues, several hospitals have developed exercise (prehabilitation) programmes to improve the aerobic capacity of this patient group prior to surgery [2].…”

“…The level of aerobic fitness prior to surgery has been identified as an important factor for determining the ability to cope with these increased demands and postoperative outcomes [2]. To address fitness issues, several hospitals have developed exercise (prehabilitation) programmes to improve the aerobic capacity of this patient group prior to surgery [2]. The most common exercises in prehabilitation programmes are aerobic training activities, such as cycling, walking (treadmill and/ or outdoor), rowing, using a cross-trainer, and stepping.…”

Current data about the benefit of prehabilitation for colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery are not sufficient to alter the NHS cancer waiting targets

“…A recent systemic review identified three studies, which investigated the effect of a structured exercise programme during and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on post treatment physical fitness. The authors demonstrated that prehabilitation programme during and after neoadjuvant therapy is feasible and safe with high compliance rate [22][23][24]. Furthermore, the authors found that after completion of the exercise programme, physical fitness returned to baseline levels before chemoradiotherapy.…”