8 Weeks vs 12 Weeks Physical Exercise Programmes in Colorectal Cancer Patients

ConditionsOncology Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorUniversity of Salamanca

About this trial

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of colon cancer; however, its effects extend beyond malignant cells. Because chemotherapeutic agents target rapidly dividing cells, they can also damage healthy tissues, resulting in a range of adverse effects. Among the most prevalent is peripheral neuropathy, a disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by symptoms such as tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness in the extremities.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy poses a significant challenge for patients with colon cancer, as it further compromises quality of life during an already demanding phase of treatment. Damage to sensory and motor nerves interferes with the ability to perform daily activities and diminishes physical capacity, thereby intensifying both the physical and psychological burden associated with the disease.

Nevertheless, certain interventions may help mitigate these negative effects, with physical exercise emerging as a particularly promising strategy. Although it may appear counterintuitive, regular physical activity has been shown to exert beneficial effects on peripheral neuropathy. Exercise enhances blood circulation, supports the regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves, and helps reduce neuropathic pain and discomfort, ultimately improving functional performance.

It is important to emphasize that exercise interventions should be individually tailored and conducted under appropriate medical supervision. Consequently, the integration of chemotherapy with a carefully designed exercise program represents a comprehensive approach to managing both the disease and its treatment-related side effects, contributing to an improved quality of life for patients with colon cancer throughout their recovery process.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

People diagnosed with colorectal cancer and who are receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Sedentary people who have not performed physical activity in the last 8 weeks.

Ability to understand the evaluation tests and the performance of the exercises.

Presence of XXX symptoms (If we focus on neuropathy, it should be inclusion criteria).

Disqualifiers

None

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Exercise
Other intervention
There will be 2 weekly sessions of 50 minutes, always guided by a physiotherapist, with the following distribution: 1.- Warm-up: 15 minutes of global exercises of strength and resistance, focusing on the areas that are going to be worked as a priority in that session. Strength training: 6 to 8 strength exercises of large muscle groups. The approximate duration will be 25 minutes. 3.- Cool down / cool down: Combination of breathing exercises and stretching, 10 minutes. Monitoring with activity bracelets.
Physical activity recommendations
Other intervention
They will be provided with a physical activity plan to be followed on a weekly basis.

Treatment groups

50 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Exercise groupExperimental treatment 2 interventions

Group B: Control groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy

The EORTC CIPN20 questionnaire will be used.This questionnaire contains 20 items on which patients rate their experience for each symptom during the previous week using scores from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The sum score was obtained by adding the scores of items 1 to 19 resulting in a sum score range of 19 to 76, which was termed CIPN20 sum1-19.

Time frame