Longitudinal development of cancer‐related fatigue and physical activity in childhood cancer patients

A large amount of evidence shows that after a cancer diagnosis, patients significantly reduce their level of physical activity. Usually, this reduction is attributed to cancer-related fatigue. However, to our knowledge, no study has clearly demonstrated that fatigue alters effort-based decision-making in cancer. This mini-review aimed to provide evidence that chronic fatigue in cancer patients causes changes in brain connectivity that impact effort-based decision-making. Indeed, three patterns of activation to compensate for dysfunctional networks have been reported: greater variability in the executive network and hyperactivation in the executive network, which account for less efficient and costly processes in the frontal cortex, and reduced deactivation in the default mode network. Nevertheless, these activation patterns are also observed with other factors, such as anticipatory stressors (worry, rumination or sleep loss), that might also cause reluctance to engage in physical activity. Effort-based decision-making involving weighing costs against benefits and physical activity interventions should increase immediate benefits to facilitate engagement in effortful activities.

Download Full-text

Effects of Scheduled Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women with Early Breast Cancer

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/271828 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Anne Marie Lunde Husebø ◽

Sindre Mikal Dyrstad ◽

Ingvil Mjaaland ◽

Jon Arne Søreide ◽

Edvin Bru

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Activity Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Related Fatigue

While physical activity during cancer treatment is found beneficial for breast cancer patients, evidence indicates ambiguous findings concerning effects of scheduled exercise programs on treatment-related symptoms. This study investigated effects of a scheduled home-based exercise intervention in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, on cancer-related fatigue, physical fitness, and activity level. Sixty-seven women were randomized to an exercise intervention group (n=33, performed strength training 3x/week and 30 minutes brisk walking/day) and a control group (n=34, performed their regular physical activity level). Data collection was performed at baseline, at completion of chemotherapy (Post1), and 6-month postchemotherapy (Post2). Exercise levels were slightly higher in the scheduled exercise group than in the control group. In both groups, cancer-related fatigue increased at Post1but returned to baseline at Post2. Physical fitness and activity levels decreased at Post1but were significantly improved at Post2. Significant differences between intervention and control groups were not found. The findings suggest that generally recommended physical activity levels are enough to relief cancer-related fatigue and restore physical capacity in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, although one cannot rule out that results reflect diminishing treatment side effects over time.

Download Full-text

Physical activity barriers, preferences, and beliefs in childhood cancer patients

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-017-4041-9 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (7) ◽

pp. 2177-2184 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Wilhelmenia L. Ross ◽

Alyssa Le ◽

Daniel J. Zheng ◽

Hannah-Rose Mitchell ◽

Jaime Rotatori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients

Download Full-text

The Psychosocial Benefits of Recreational Oncology Camp for Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors: Study Protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25214 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah L West ◽

Gillian White ◽

Nathan O'Keeffe ◽

Greg D Wells

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Data Collection ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Physical Function ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Mood States ◽

Control Group ◽

Social Psychological

BACKGROUND Patients and survivors of childhood cancer may experience negative outcomes following treatment. This may result in negative developmental experiences such as social isolation, academic delays, and altered elective participation in developmental activities. Opportunities that offer experiences to children who have had cancer are important to help mitigate the potential outcomes of cancer treatment. One such opportunity is recreational oncology camp (“Camp”); the focus of this research project is Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium located in Ontario, Canada. OBJECTIVE There are two primary objectives of the current study: 1) examine the impact of recreational overnight Camp on social, psychological, emotional, and physical function in childhood cancer patients; and 2) inform an evidence strategy that can be implemented across the organization. METHODS A total of 40 children ages 7 to 18 will be recruited from Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium registration lists. All cancer diagnoses and stages of treatments will be included. No intervention will be added above regular camp programming which participants will opt into, same as campers that are not participating in the study. A No-camp control Group (n=40) will be recruited from The Hospital for Sick Children. Social, Psychological, and emotional functioning will be assessed by questionnaires including the Social Provisions Scale, General Self Efficacy Scale, and The Profile of Mood States (POMS-40). Stress will be measured via salivary cortisol. Physical function will be measured by via activity tracking (FitBit Charge™ 3), and physical literacy will be assessed by the PlaySelf™ scale. Testing will occur pre-camp, during camp, immediately and 6 months post-camp. RESULTS We hypothesize that compared to the non-camp control group, the camp experience will lead to improved social connectedness, reduced salivary cortisol levels (i.e., reduced stress), improved mood states, and increased self-efficacy. We also hypothesize that compared to the non-camp control group, children in the camp group will have increased physical activity participation, which will be associated with improved physical literacy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work on this study has been delayed. We are currently completing our application for institutional research ethics approval. Depending on the COVID-19 pandemic status, data collection is projected to begin in the spring of 2021, with the majority occurring during the 2021 summer camp season. Data collection and analyses are expected to be completed by Spring 2022. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we expect the current project will increase knowledge on the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer and a prospective model for supporting positive youth development through social connections, self-efficacy, physical activity, and interaction with the natural environment. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of an integrated experiential training program with coaching by nursing students in promoting physical activity and reducing fatigue among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer patients

10.5353/th_991044040584603414 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Ka-wai, Katherine Lam

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Training Program ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Hong Kong Chinese ◽

Experiential Training

Download Full-text

Effect of tailored and supervised therapeutic exercise in metastatic breast cancer patients: A prospective study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e13075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e13075-e13075

Author(s):

Sofía Ruíz ◽

Bella Pajares ◽

Maria-Jose Bermejo-Perez ◽

Cristina Roldán Jiménez ◽

Antonio Cuesta Vargas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Related Fatigue ◽

A Prospective Study

e13075 Background: The safety, feasibility and benefit of physical activity is robust in adjuvant breast cancer, but as far as we know, there is little information on the feasibility and benefit of exercise in women with advanced breast cancer. The objective of our study is to analyze the feasibility and impact on fatigue, quality of life and functionality of an individualized, prospective and supervised exercise program in a group of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: A prospective study on 30 metastatic breast cancer patients who were recruited as volunteers between February 2018 and April 2019 by Medical Oncologists from the Medical Oncology Unit at University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (Malaga, Spain). Participants included in this study were patients aged between 34 and 71 years old and all had metastatic breast cancer, not amenable to curative treatment. The intervention was a twelve-week Therapeutic Exercise and Education Programme delivered by a physiotherapist. The intervention was preceded by a physical assessment of the musculoskeletal system. The outcomes were cancer-related fatigue, quality of life and functional outcomes (patient- reported and other measured by investigators). Results: Of the 30 patients initially recruited, only 11 of them completed the program with an attendance greater or equal to 17 sessions (75% of assistance). Most of patients who dropped (19), did it because of personal matters, not related to disease progression. Regarding patients who completed the completion of physical activity program (n = 11), the majority were treated on first line of treatment with hormonal receptors positive tumors and bone metastasis. After the intervention, no major changes were observed in cancer-related fatigue, quality of life and several patients-reported outcomes, although an improvement in functionality was observed, in investigator-measured parameters (30-STS and adapted burpees). Conclusions: Our study shows that a supervised and individualized tailored physical activity program in metastatic breast cancer patients is safe and feasible, although more studies are needed to analyse its impact on improving functional parameters, fatigue and quality of life.

Download Full-text