Abstract
Many patients with gliomas suffer from cognitive deficits. Recent findings indicate that physical exercise is effective in ameliorating cognitive decline, in particular in older adults and select neurological patient populations. Studies of exercise interventions in patients with cancer demonstrated to have beneficial effects on various measures of physical and mental well-being. This pilot randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of home-based exercise in improving cognitive functioning and self-reported mental well-being in glioma patients. Clinically stable patients with grade II and III glioma will undergo baseline neuropsychological testing, including questionnaires on cognitive symptoms, fatigue, sleep, mood and quality of life; and cardiorespiratory exercise testing (CPET) to determine room for improvement of physical fitness. Sixty patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to the intervention group or active control group. Patients in the intervention group exercise 3 times per week for 6 months, during 20 to 45 minutes at an increasing intensity of 55 to 85% of their maximum heart rate. CPET-outcome (VO2peak) is used to tailor an individual, home-based exercise program. Participants wear heart rate monitors and are supervised by a physical therapist via internet and telephone. Patients in the active control group are advised to walk regularly. Neuropsychological test performance, physical fitness, and mental well-being are assessed again after 6 months. In November 2014, 30 patients are expected to be accrued. Six-month follow-up data on neuropsychological performance, physical fitness and self-reported mental well-being of the currently included 15 patients (12 intervention; 3 control group) will be available. Mean age of this group is 48.1 (±9.8) years; median time since surgery is 4.1 (0.7-14.7) years. Most of these participants are female (n = 11), and have a grade II glioma (n = 10). To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effects of an exercise intervention in patients with gliomas.
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