Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2019

Exercise and cancer-related cognitive impairment: a study protocol  (#283)

Eliza Keating 1 , Sjaan Gomersall 1 2 , Phillip Lynem 3 , Michael Tsiamis 3 , Tina Skinner 1
  1. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences , The University of Queensland, St Lucia , Queensland, Australia
  2. School of Health and Rehabiliation Sciences , The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  3. YMCA of Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a prevalent and persistent condition that affects up to 60% of cancer survivors following treatment. Exercise, which has been shown to reduce cognitive decline in older adults, is a potentially effective therapy to reduce the incidence and/or severity of CRCI in cancer survivors. However, few studies have investigated the impact of exercise on CRCI with objective neuropsychological testing and adequate sample size. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a 12-week community-based exercise program on CRCI in cancer survivors. People with cancer who enrol in the Cancer Survivors Program delivered by YMCA Fitness Centres across South East Queensland will be invited to participate. Participants (n=86) will complete 12-weeks of usual care before commencing the intervention. The supervised exercise sessions will occur twice weekly for 12-weeks. Each 60-minute session will incorporate aerobic- and resistance-based exercises. All outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, pre-intervention (12 weeks) and post-intervention (24 weeks). CRCI will be assessed according to the cognitive testing battery recommended by the International Cancer and Cognition Taskforce i.e. the Hopkin’s Verbal Learning Test (learning/verbal memory), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (verbal fluency) and the Trial-Making-Test A/B (attention/set-switching). Secondary outcomes will include: Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (global cognition), self-perceived cognitive functioning, fatigue, psychological distress, sleep disturbance, quality of life and functional capacity. This study will provide evidence of the effectiveness of exercise in alleviating CRCI in cancer survivors. Moreover, the present study will use a pragmatic approach to evidence-based exercise interventions for cancer survivors in the community.

 

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