'EXACT' - The EXercise And Colo-rectal cancer Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility and effects of a 12-week home-based walking and strengthening exercise intervention on physiological, biochemical and psychological outcomes in colo-rectal cancer survivors.
IRAS ID
152203
Contact name
Jackie Gracey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of this research is to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a home-based walking and strengthening (HBWS) intervention on physiological, biochemical and psychological outcomes in colo-rectal cancer survivors.
Persistent symptoms and side effects related to cancer diagnosis and its treatments are a key issue for cancer survivors and there is also a large body of evidence specifying the benefits of exercise on these side effects. (Pinto et al, 2005; Fairey, et al., 2005; Courneya et al, 2003 and Ligibel et al., 2008)
Home-based programmes that have been tested in the cancer population have been proven to be feasible, acceptable and beneficial (Donnelly, et al., 2010; Pinto, et al., 2005; Segal, et al., 2001). These interventions are convenient, low cost and can be easily incorporated into daily life.
However there is a lack of evidence on the biological mechanisms underlying the effect of exercise on cancer survivors and their symptoms. Existing evidence has only been published since 2009, with a large variation in the type of biomarker investigated (Ballard-Barbash, et al., 2012).
A 12-week HBWS intervention will be implemented, along with a behavioural change counselling session to those 6-12 weeks post colo-rectal cancer treatment. Physiological, psychological as well as biochemical outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, post intervention and at a 3 month follow-up appointment. A control group of participants receiving usual care will also be assessed at the same time points for comparison.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
14/NI/1048
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion