ChemoBrain Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving Brain Health After Chemotherapy Through Prehabiliation
IRAS ID
356825
Contact name
Christopher Gaffney
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 14 days
Research summary
Colorectal cancer is 37% higher in the North-West than the national average and is treated by chemotherapy, including fluorouracil, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin. A side effect of these drugs is loss of memory, forgetfulness, and general brain fog, which can persist for months after the end of treatment, collectively known as “chemo-brain”. We will use an existing prehabilitation intervention we have developed, which increases fitness and reduces hospital length of stay in colorectal cancer surgery patients, to try and improve chemo-brain symptoms in those undergoing chemotherapy and improve quality of life.
The study aims to:
Aim 1: To determine if prehabilitation promotes an improvement in brain health in colorectal cancer patients before starting chemotherapy.Aim 2: To determine if prehabilitation protects against cognitive and neural dysfunction, to establish if prehabilitation can reduce the negative effects on the brain following
chemotherapy.Aim 3: To determine if brain health changes following prehabilitation lead to improvements in quality of life three months after cessation of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients.
We will use a range of physiological tests (cardiopulmonary exercise testing, blood panels), neuroscientific (electroencephalography) and psychological (cognitive test battery, well-being questionnaires) to determine if our prehabilitation intervention improves chemo-brain and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients. Our intervention will be delivered across Lancashire, aimed at reducing health inequalities and negative health outcomes associated with cancer treatment in our region.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0250
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion