Resistance Exercise Modulates Kynurenine Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Anasua Pal ◽  
Philipp Zimmer ◽  
Dorothea Clauss ◽  
Martina E. Schmidt ◽  
Cornelia M. Ulrich ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Supervised and Home-based resistance exercise on the Kynurenine pathway in patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent surgery and chemotherapy. In the SUPPORT study, adult pancreatic cancer patients were randomized to intervention programs of 6-month (1) a Supervised moderate-to-high-intensity progressive resistance training or (2) unsupervised Home-based resistance training, or (3) to a standard care patient Control group. Serum levels of kynurenine, tryptophan and IL-6 were assessed for 32 participants before, after 3 months and after 6 months of exercise intervention. Group differences were investigated using analysis-of-covariance. Patients in the Supervised training group showed decreased levels of serum kynurenine and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (p = 0.07; p = 0.01 respectively) as well as increased Tryptophan levels (p = 0.05) in comparison to Home-based and Control group over time. The Home-based exercise group had significant increased kynurenine and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio levels. IL-6 levels decreased over the first three months for both intervention groups as well as the Control group (Supervised: p < 0.01, Home-based: p < 0.010, Control group: p < 0.01). Supervised resistance exercise might positively regulate the Kynurenine pathway and downregulate the kynurenine/tryptophan (indicative of IDO/TDO enzyme) levels, hence modulating the immune system.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-545
Author(s):  
Tabea Maurer ◽  
Julia von Grundherr ◽  
Stefan Patra ◽  
Anna Jaeger ◽  
Heiko Becher ◽  
...  

BackgroundData on the treatment-supporting effect of modifiable lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity on survival or quality of life (QoL) are scarce in patients with ovarian cancer. Despite a strong rationale for evaluating the effect of a multimodal intervention and multiple studies targeting other cancer sites, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of a combined nutrition and exercise intervention on survival and QoL in ovarian cancer patients are rare. No study has investigated the impact of an early intervention during first-line chemotherapy.Primary ObjectivesTo evaluate the study design, feasibility, safety, and acceptance of combined nutrition and exercise in patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer during and after first-line chemotherapy.Study HypothesisPhysical exercise and a cancer-specific nutrition intervention after ovarian cancer diagnosis is feasible, accepted, and safe for patients receiving first-line chemotherapy.Trial DesignA 1:1 RCT with an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group receives an exercise and nutrition program whereas the control group continues to follow the usual care.Major Inclusion/Exclusion CriteriaInclusion: women ≥18 years of age; women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, or peritoneal cancer and primary or interval debulking surgery. Exclusion: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status of 2 or worse.Primary EndpointsRecruitment rate, completion rate, side effects, and adherence.Sample Sizen=30 patients (15 per arm) will be recruited.Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting ResultsAccrual completion is planned for the end of 2019. Results will be presented in the months following study completion 1 year after recruitment has been finalised.Trial Registration NumberThe pilot phase was approved by the ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of Hamburg on December 13, 2017 (PV5456). The study was registered on September 9, 2018 at the German Study Registry for Clinical Studies (DRKS00013231).


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Fischer ◽  
Stephen Agboola ◽  
Ramya Palacholla ◽  
Mursal Atif ◽  
Joseph Kvedar ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND CORA is a personalized smartphone-based self-management app designed to help cancer patients on oral anti-cancer medications manage medication, medication side-effects, and symptoms with the overall goal of improving their quality of life. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of CORA on quality of life in patients on oral anti-cancer medications. METHODS Eighty-four patients were randomized to either an intervention group that received CORA plus usual care or a control group that received usual care. Quality of life was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale administered at enrollment, 6 and 12 weeks. Engagement with the app was assessed by determining the unique days using the app. We evaluated the effect of engagement on FACIT-F both as a continuous variable (days using the app) and as a categorical outcome (low, medium, and high). Group differences for all outcomes over the study period were assessed using repeated measures mixed model analysis. RESULTS Relative to the control group, the intervention group improved FACIT-F by 0.36 (95% CI 0.10-0.61) P=.006 per week over the study period. As a continuous variable, each additional day using the app was significantly associated with an improved FACIT-F score per week in the study [0.0060 (95% CI -0.000034-0.012), P=.05]. Within the intervention group that used the app, those who were most engaged with the app were significantly more likely to improve their quality of life over the study relative to the least engaged group [0.37 per week (95% CI 0.19-1.94), P=.05]. CONCLUSIONS CORA may have significantly improved quality of life (FACIT-F) in cancer patients over 12 weeks. Smartphone applications may positively impact health and behavioral outcomes in cancer patients on oral anti-cancer medications.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2378-2388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lene Thorsen ◽  
Eva Skovlund ◽  
Sigmund B. Strømme ◽  
Kjersti Hornslien ◽  
Alv A. Dahl ◽  
...  

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised home-based flexible training program on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), mental distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy. Patients and Methods One hundred eleven patients age 18 to 50 years who had received chemotherapy for lymphomas or breast, gynecologic, or testicular cancer completed the trial. These patients were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n = 59), which underwent a 14-week training program, or a control group (n = 52) that received standard care. Primary outcome was change in CRF, as determined by Åstrand-Rhyming indirect bicycle ergometer test (maximum oxygen uptake [VO2max]), between baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1). Secondary outcomes were mental distress, as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and HRQOL, as assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. Two-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze changes from T0 to T1. Results VO2max increased by 6.4 mL/kg–1/min–1 in patients in the intervention group and by 3.1 mL/kg–1/min–1 in patients in the control group (P < .01). The fatigue score decreased by 17.0 points in the control group compared with only 5.8 points in the intervention group (P < .01). There were no intergroup differences in mental distress or HRQOL. Conclusion A supervised, home-based, flexible training program has significant effect on CRF in young and middle-aged cancer patients shortly after curative chemotherapy, but it has no favorable effect on patients' experience of fatigue, mental distress, or HRQOL.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-784
Author(s):  
Alessandro Toccafondi ◽  
Andrea Bonacchi ◽  
Andrea Mambrini ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
Roberto Prosseda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjective:The present study intended to evaluate the impact of a standardized format—called the “Music Givers,” based on a single session of music intervention followed by a buffet—on the psychological burden and well-being of hospitalized cancer patients.Method:The Distress Thermometer (DT), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and self-reported visual analogue scales (score range = 1–10) to assess pain, fatigue, and five areas of well-being (i.e., physical, psychological, relational, spiritual, and overall well-being) were administered to 242 cancer patients upon admission to and at discharge from the hospital. Among them, 103 were hospitalized during which time a live concert took place (intervention group), whereas 139 patients were hospitalized when it did not (control group).Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the intervention group demonstrated less distress at discharge according to the DT (adjusted estimate of difference = –0.8,p = 0.001), lower HADS–Anxiety (–1.7,p < 0.001) and HADS–Depression scores (–1.3,p = 0.001), and higher scores on all the well-being scales, with the exception of spiritual well-being. In addition, no between-group differences were found in terms of pain and fatigue scores at discharge.Significance of results:The one-session format of the Music Givers intervention is an effective, standardized, easy-to-replicate, and low-cost intervention that reduces psychological burden and improves the well-being of hospitalized cancer patients. Listening to live music and the opportunity to establish better relationships between patients and staff could explain these results.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Sanchez ◽  
Cécile Payet ◽  
Marie Herr ◽  
Anne Dazinieras ◽  
Caroline Blochet ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The elderly are particularly exposed to adverse events from medication. Among the various strategies to reduce polypharmacy, educational approaches have shown promising results. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the impact of the implementation of a good medical practice booklet on polypharmacy in nursing homes. METHODS We identified nursing homes belonging to a geriatric care provider that had launched a policy of proper medication use using a good medical practice booklet delivered to prescribers and pharmacists. Data were derived from electronic pill dispensers. The effect of the intervention on polypharmacy was assessed with multilevel regression models, with a control group to account for natural trends over time. The main outcomes were the average daily number of times when medication was administered and the number of drugs with different presentation identifier codes per resident per month. RESULTS 96,216 residents from 519 nursing homes were included between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. The intervention group and the control group both decreased their average daily use of medication (-0.05 and -0.06). The good medical practice booklet did not have a statistically significant effect (exponentiated difference-in-differences coefficient 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.02, P=.45). CONCLUSIONS Although the good medical practice booklet itself did not seem effective in decreasing medication use, our data show the effectiveness of a higher-level policy to decrease polypharmacy.


Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Fauna Herawati ◽  
Yuni Megawati ◽  
Aslichah ◽  
Retnosari Andrajati ◽  
Rika Yulia

The long period of tuberculosis treatment causes patients to have a high risk of forgetting or stopping the medication altogether, which increases the risk of oral anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The patient’s knowledge and perception of the disease affect the patient’s adherence to treatment. This research objective was to determine the impact of educational videos in the local language on the level of knowledge, perception, and adherence of tuberculosis patients in the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Bangil. This quasi-experimental study design with a one-month follow-up allocated 62 respondents in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The pre- and post-experiment levels of knowledge and perception were measured with a validated set of questions. Adherence was measured by pill counts. The results showed that the intervention increases the level of knowledge of the intervention group higher than that of the control group (p-value < 0.05) and remained high after one month of follow-up. The perceptions domains that changed after education using Javanese (Ngoko) language videos with the Community Based Interactive Approach (CBIA) method were the timeline, personal control, illness coherence, and emotional representations (p-value < 0.05). More than 95% of respondents in the intervention group take 95% of their pill compared to 58% of respondents in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Utilization of the local languages for design a community-based interactive approach to educate and communicate is important and effective.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982199474
Author(s):  
Maggie Xing ◽  
Dorina Kallogjeri ◽  
Jay F. Piccirillo

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training in improving tinnitus bother and to identify predictors of patient response. Study Design Prospective open-label randomized controlled trial. Setting Online. Methods Participants were adults with subjective idiopathic nonpulsatile tinnitus causing significant tinnitus-related distress. The intervention group trained by using auditory-intensive exercises for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. The active control group trained on the same schedule with non–auditory intensive games. Surveys were completed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results A total of 64 participants completed the study. The median age was 63 years (range, 25-69) in the intervention group and 61 years (34-68) in the control group. Mixed model analysis revealed that within-subject change in Tinnitus Functional Index in the intervention group was not different than the control group, with marginal mean differences (95% CI): 0.24 (–11.20 to 10.7) and 2.17 (–8.50 to 12.83) at 8 weeks and 2.33 (–8.6 to 13.3) and 3.36 (–7.91 to 14.6) at 12 weeks, respectively. When the 2 study groups were compared, the control group had higher Tinnitus Functional Index scores than the intervention group by 10.5 points at baseline (95% CI, –0.92 to 29.89), 8.1 at 8 weeks (95% CI, –3.27 to 19.42), and 9.4 at 12 weeks (95% CI, –2.45 to 21.34). Conclusion Auditory-intensive cognitive training was not associated with changes in self-reported tinnitus bother. Given the potential for neuroplasticity to affect tinnitus, we believe that future studies on cognitive training for tinnitus remain relevant.


Author(s):  
Taylor Kirby ◽  
Robert Connell ◽  
Travis Linneman

Abstract Purpose The impact of a focused inpatient educational intervention on rates of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) was evaluated. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis compared rates of MAT, along with rates of OUD-related emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospital admission within 1 year, between veterans with a diagnosis of OUD who completed inpatient rehabilitation prior to implementation of a series of group sessions designed to engage intrinsic motivation to change behavior surrounding opioid abuse and provide education about MAT (the control group) and those who completed rehabilitation after implementation of the education program (the intervention group). A post hoc, multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate possible predictors of MAT use and ED and/or hospital readmission, including completion of the opioid series, gender, age (&gt;45 years), race, and specific prior substance(s) of abuse. Results One hundred fifty-eight patients were included: 95 in the control group and 63 in the intervention group. Rates of MAT were 25% (24 of 95 veterans) and 75% (47 of 63 veterans) in control and intervention groups, respectively (P &lt; 0.01). Gender, completion of the opioid series, prior heroin use, and marijuana use met prespecified significance criteria for inclusion in multivariate regression modeling of association with MAT utilization, with participation in the opioid series (odds ratio [OR], 9.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36-20.96) and prior heroin use (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.18-9.01) found to be significant predictors of MAT utilization on multivariate analysis. Opioid series participation and MAT use were independently associated with decreased rates of OUD-related ED visits and/or hospital admission (hazard ratios of 0.16 [95% CI, 0.06-0.44] and 0.32 [95% CI, 0.14-0.77], respectively) within 1 year after rehabilitation completion. Conclusion Focused OUD-related education in a substance abuse program for veterans with OUD increased rates of MAT and was associated with a decrease in OUD-related ED visits and/or hospital admission within 1 year.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document