Physical function and quality of life in cancer cachexia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring connections between changes in physical function and quality of life among people with cancer cachexia: An interview study
IRAS ID
337448
Contact name
Matthew Maddocks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cancer cachexia is characterised by ongoing weight loss. It is estimated to affect up to 80% of people with cancer and has substantial impacts on people's quality of life. While previous interview studies have explored people's experiences of the nutritional aspects of cachexia (e.g., distress about eating, and body image issues due to visible weight loss), there has been very little research into people's experiences of changes in their physical function (i.e., people's ability to conduct their daily activities and the things that are important to them). Understanding the range of quality of life issues which are experienced among people with cancer cachexia is important, because it can be used to design better treatments. Therefore, this interview study aims to explore connections between changes in physical function and quality of life among people with cancer cachexia, to help researchers design better treatments to improve quality of life for people with cancer cachexia.
We will recruit adults with cancer who have experienced recent, unintended weight loss, and who have experienced some change in their physical function. We will ask participants to complete a short socio-demographic questionnaire, which will take around 5 minutes, and then to take part in one interview within the next month. The interview is expected to last around one hour and will ask participants about changes in their daily activities and impacts on their psychological wellbeing and relationships.
We will be recruiting participants from King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The research team are supported by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Applied Research Collaboration South London, Horizon Europe, Innovate UK, and Cicely Saunders International.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
25/WA/0037
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion