Lifestyle intervention for sarcopenia in advanced colorectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of a co-designed lifestyle intervention during treatment for advanced colorectal cancer: a single centre pilot study
IRAS ID
338992
Contact name
Vicky Coyle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN58882854
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Loss of muscle mass is common in people with bowel cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum). Previous research has shown that physical activity and nutrition support with a focus on strength training and increased daily protein intake can reduce muscle loss in people with cancer. Improved muscle mass can minimise the negative effects of cancer treatments, improve quality of life, and, in some circumstances, improve the response to cancer treatments. However, to date, little is known about whether this type of support is feasible or beneficial during treatment for advanced bowel cancer (cancer that cannot be removed surgically or has spread to other parts of the body).
This single centre, single arm feasibility study based in Belfast, Northern Ireland will recruit adults with advanced bowel cancer due to commence cancer treatment. Participants will undergo fitness testing, assessment of their muscle mass using specialised scales, assessment of their diet using a food diary, and complete questionnaires about their general health. They will then be offered weekly face-to-face, one-on-one sessions with a physical activity and nutrition coach in the hospital outpatient gym over twelve weeks. These sessions will include supervised strength training as well as goal-setting and support for improving physical activity and protein intake at home. Assessments will be repeated at the end of the twelve-week programme. After the programme has finished, participants will be signposted to further support for diet and exercise going forward. Participants will be invited to take part in a recorded interview after the programme is completed.
The main outcome will be to assess whether this type of programme is feasible in people with advanced colorectal cancer during their treatment. Muscle mass, strength, quality of life, chemotherapy response and side effects will also be measured, and participant experiences will be analysed from their interviews.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0079
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion