BETTER
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Basic Exercise Training to Enhance Recovery - BETTER: Development of a perioperative isometric-resistance exercise intervention programme for patients undergoing elective abdominal and thoracic surgery for cancer
IRAS ID
164534
Contact name
Haythem Ali
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
R&D Manager- Maidstone Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Every year in the UK, about 60,000 patients are diagnosed with oesophageal, stomach, colonic, gynaecological and urological cancers and about 50% undergo surgery involving the torso (abdominal) or chest (thoracic). Patients who have had this type of surgery often experience complications,mostly related to breathing problems caused by a decrease in lung function. Longer-term, many patients suffer weight loss and muscle wastage. Recently, there has been a growing interest in how exercise can help cancer surgery patients’ recovery – before, during and after surgery. There have been very few previous studies of resistance exercise (or strength training) involving isometric-resistance (or static) exercise programmes in such patients. The advantage of this type of exercise is that it is known to be effective in increasing muscle strength and it could, therefore, combat the particular muscle-wasting problems experienced by this patient group. Also, it requires very little equipment and space, and it can be performed whilst patients are bed-bound in hospital or at home. The purpose of this study is to develop an isometric-resistance exercise programme and then to try it out in a small-scale study. The idea for the programme is based on evidence which suggests that an isometric-resistance exercise programme may increase physical function in patients undergoing surgical treatment for cancer. We are therefore conducting a developmental study to identify (i) the most appropriate format for the exercise programme, and (ii) the most appropriate measure(s) we can use to review the effects of the exercise programme on ‘physical function’. The findings from this current study (Phase One) will be used to develop the isometric-resistance exercise intervention and assessments for its suitability and effectiveness in the next part of the study (Phase Two).
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0890
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion