CREATE-Covid-19 feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise and Activity via TElehealth COVID-19 Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
295385
Contact name
Kirsten Rennie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 17 days
Research summary
Evidence shows that physical activity (PA) is important in preventing recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC), being active can reduce the risk of reoccurrence by approximately 30%. Being physically-active and exercising has been shown to be safe and feasible prior to surgery, post-surgery, during treatment and beyond. Guidelines suggest that patients should be encouraged to be as active as possible from diagnosis. Being active during treatment may reduce fatigue, reduce side effects of treatment and reduce being admitted to hospital and infections. In addition, animal studies suggest being active may boost the immune system and improving the body’s reaction to the treatment.
Despite guidelines to promote PA during cancer treatment, levels of activity in patients with CRC remain low. During COVID-19, hospital and community-based programmes have largely been suspended, creating an urgent need for effective programmes delivered remotely via ‘telehealth’.
This feasibility study will assess how acceptable a remote activity programme is for patients with CRC. The intervention programme builds on the established hospital-based Cancer Exercise & Rehab (REACT) programme, including a group educational session delivered online by a specialist physiotherapist and three on-demand recorded exercise sessions. Sessions offer options for different activity abilities, targeting the specific needs of patients with CRC.
20-30 patients with CRC will be recruited at their Outpatient Oncology appointment prior to commencing treatment. Once consented patients will receive an invitation to the online PA sessions. Participants will be asked to complete measurements on the impact of the intervention programme before and during the first two 21-day treatment cycles. Outcomes will include online questionnaires on how they are feeling, how they rate their ability to do daily activities and their belief in their ability to exercise. Overall activity levels will be measured using a 7-day wrist-worn activity monitor before treatment starts and before the following two treatments.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0087
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion