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Controlled Clinical Trial
. 2016 Apr;38 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):E1086-96.
doi: 10.1002/hed.24162. Epub 2015 Oct 7.

Maintaining physical activity during head and neck cancer treatment: Results of a pilot controlled trial

Shuang G Zhao  1 , Neil B Alexander  2   3 , Zora Djuric  4 , Jessica Zhou  1 , Yebin Tao  5 , Matthew Schipper  1   5 , Felix Y Feng  1 , Avraham Eisbruch  1 , Francis P Worden  6 , Scott J Strath  7 , Shruti Jolly  1   8
Affiliations
Controlled Clinical Trial

Maintaining physical activity during head and neck cancer treatment: Results of a pilot controlled trial

Shuang G Zhao et al. Head Neck. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (concurrent CRT) to treat head and neck cancer is associated with significant reductions of weight, mobility, and quality of life (QOL). An intervention focusing on functional exercise may attenuate these losses.

Methods: We allocated patients to a 14-week functional resistance and walking program designed to maintain physical activity during cancer treatment (MPACT group; n = 11), or to usual care (control group; n = 9). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and 7 and 14 weeks.

Results: Compared to controls, the MPACT participants had attenuated decline or improvement in several strength, mobility, physical activity, diet, and QOL endpoints. These trends were statistically significant (p < .05) in knee strength, mental health, head and neck QOL, and barriers to exercise.

Conclusion: In this pilot study of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent CRT, MPACT training was feasible and maintained or improved function and QOL, thereby providing the basis for larger future interventions with longer follow-up. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1086-E1096, 2016.

Keywords: functional mobility; head and neck cancer; physical activity; quality of life; radiation therapy.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Study flow diagram.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Group mean (SE) change in knee extension strength (in Newton-meters) at 7 and 14 weeks (maintain physical activity during cancer treatment [MPACT] = 11; controls = 7). *p < .05.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Group mean (SE) change in the 6-minute walk distance (in feet) at 7 and 14 weeks (maintain physical activity during cancer treatment [MPACT] = 11; controls = 7).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Group mean (SE) change in Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores at 7 and 14 weeks. (A) Total SF-36 score; (B) vitality subscore; and (C) mental health subscore (maintain physical activity during cancer treatment [MPACT] = 11; controls = 7). *p < .05.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Group mean (SE) change in proportion of time spent in sedentary behavior, as measured by actigraphy, at 7 and 14 weeks (maintain physical activity during cancer treatment [MPACT] = 4; controls = 3).
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Group mean (SE) solid food servings per day at 1, 4, 6, and 7 weeks (maintain physical activity during cancer treatment [MPACT] = 5, control = 3).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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