High-intensity aerobic interval training and resistance training are feasible in rectal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy: a feasibility randomized controlled study

Elise Piraux; Gregory Reychler; David Vancraeynest; Xavier Geets; Daniel Léonard; Gilles Caty

doi:10.5603/RPOR.a2022.0036

High-intensity aerobic interval training and resistance training are feasible in rectal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy: a feasibility randomized controlled study

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2022 May 19;27(2):198-208. doi: 10.5603/RPOR.a2022.0036. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Elise Piraux¹, Gregory Reychler^#², David Vancraeynest³, Xavier Geets⁴, Daniel Léonard⁵, Gilles Caty^#⁶

Affiliations

¹ Pôle de Neuro Musculo Skeletal Lab, Pôle de Pneumologie, ORL and Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neurosciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Haute Ecole Léonard de Vinci, PARNASSE-ISEI, Secteur de Kinésithérapie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
² Pôle de Pneumologie, ORL and Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Haute Ecole Léonard de Vinci, PARNASSE-ISEI, Secteur de Kinésithérapie, Service de Pneumologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
³ Pôle de Recherche Cardiovasculaire, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Service de Cardiologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
⁴ Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Service de Radiothérapie Oncologique, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ Service de Chirurgie et Transplantation Abdominale, Unité de Chirurgie Colorectale, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
⁶ Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neurosciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc,Brussels, Belgium.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: There has been growing evidence of the benefits of high-intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT) and resistance training (RES) for populations with cancer. However, these two modalities have not yet been performed alone in rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACR T). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the feasibility of HIIT and RES in rectal cancer patients undergoing NACR T.

Materials and methods: Rectal cancer patients set to undergo NACRT were randomly assigned to HIIT intervention, RES intervention, or the usual care. Feasibility of HIIT and RES was assessed by measuring recruitment rate, adherence (retention rate, attendance rate, and exercise sessions duration and intensity), and adverse events. Endpoints (changes in fatigue, health-related quality of life, depression, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, functional exercise capacity, and executive function) were assessed at baseline and at week 5.

Results: Among the 20 eligible patients, 18 subjects were enrolled and completed the study, yielding a 90% recruitment rate and 100% retention rate. Attendance at exercise sessions was excellent, with 92% in HIIT and 88% in RES. No exercise-related adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that HIIT and RES are feasible in rectal cancer patients undergoing NACR T.

Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03252821 (date of registration: March 30, 2017).

Keywords: exercise; high-intensity interval training; neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; rectal cancer; resistance training.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03252821