Exploring the feasibility of exercise training during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy in women with early-stage breast cancer: a pilot study examining immune and metabolic outcomes.

PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility and exploratory immunological, metabolic, and patient-reported effects of a supervised exercise intervention during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy in women with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS: This non-randomised pilot study examined a 12-week supervised combined aerobic and resistance exercise programme during (neo)adjuvant treatment. Participants self-selected into the exercise intervention, and as no eligible participants opted for the control group, …

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A multidisciplinary intervention to support return to work of individuals with breast cancer: a prospective feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Work participation is one of the aims of cancer rehabilitation for individuals with breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to verify the feasibility of a multidisciplinary intervention addressing the work-related difficulties of working-age individuals with BC. METHODS: In this prospective feasibility study, employed individuals with BC who reported work-related difficulties were eligible. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), 1 …

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Identification of high-impact chronic pain among cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale framework.

PURPOSE: Chronic cancer-related pain is a prevalent and often under-recognized issue among individuals living with or after cancer. Clinically useful tools are needed to classify pain severity and impact and to identify those requiring targeted support. This study applied the Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised (GCPS-R) in a cohort of cancer survivors and examined differences in pain characteristics and psychosocial factors …

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Psychological Readiness for Surgery Through Prehabilitation and Treatment: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological prehabilitation aims to prepare patients for cancer treatment, yet psychological readiness is under-specified and distress during and after treatment is common. A patient-informed account of readiness is needed to guide readiness-focused, proactive psychological support in cancer care. AIMS: To examine patients’ experiences of psychological readiness for cancer surgery across the prehabilitation-treatment pathway. METHODS: We used a longitudinal qualitative …

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Effects on patient activation of eHealth support in addition to standard care in patients after radical prostatectomy: Analysis of secondary outcome from a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is often treated with radical prostatectomy, but surgery can leave patients with side effects. Patients who actively take part in their rehabilitation have been shown to achieve better clinical outcomes. eHealth support has the potential to increase patient activation, but has rarely been evaluated in long-term randomized controlled trials. Therefore, we evaluated the effects on patient activation …

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Effects of exercise therapy on chemotherapy delivery and response in primary breast cancer: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Whether structured exercise therapy improves chemotherapy delivery, tolerability, and tumor response is unclear. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a phase 2 trial investigating exercise therapy (n = 72) versus usual care (n = 72) in patients with primary breast cancer. Exercise therapy comprised individualized treadmill walking three times weekly for 20-50 minutes per session at 55%-100% of pretreatment exercise capacity. Chemotherapy …

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Combined aerobic and strength exercise training on biological ageing in Singaporean breast cancer patients: protocol for the Breast Cancer Exercise Intervention (BREXINT) Pilot Study.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prominent cancer amongst women, but fortunately, early diagnosis and advances in multimodality treatments have improved patient survivability. Cancer survivors, however, experience increased biological ageing which may accelerate other co-morbidities. Exercise intervention is a promising clinical adjuvant approach to improve BC patients’ physiological function, recovery from treatment, and quality of life. However, the effects of …

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The correlation between pain and function in cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Function is critically important to cancer survivors, who are at risk of losing independence and mobility. But relatively, little is known about how pain, a widely prevalent symptom, contributes to functional decline. Understanding this may lead to earlier intervention and improved clinical outcomes. METHODS: Four hundred eighty-eight participants across five cancer centers with rehabilitation clinics completed the PROMIS Cancer …

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Efficacy of an exercise oncology program on sleep quality and circadian rhythm in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiation therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) presents a significant challenge in oncology. It has high prevalence rates, especially in India, where 30-40% of cancer cases are attributed to HNC. While chemotherapy and radiation therapy are essential components of treatment, they often lead to significant sleep disturbances that negatively impact patients’ quality of life and the effectiveness of their treatment. These …

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Effectiveness of a Home-Based and Group-Based Tele-Exercise Program for Breast Cancer Survivors: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women globally. Adjuvant therapies can cause adverse effects that compromise physical and mental health. Exercise may mitigate these effects; however, many breast cancer survivors remain insufficiently active. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to test the effectiveness of a 7-week theory-informed tele-exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong. METHODS: We …

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