Effects of a home-based semi-supervised physical training as a complementary treatment to oncological treatment in primary lung or head and/or neck cancer patients

Abstract

Lung and head and neck cancers are known for its high prevalence and mortality rates. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are usually recommended as the main treatment(s) for this disease; however, they can negatively impact both the physical and mental status of patients. Hence, it is reasonable to consider resistance and/or aerobic exercise training to prevent the impact of the disease and its treatment(s). Further, several factor prevent patients to attend outpatient exercise training programs and, therefore, a semi-supervised home-based exercise training program could be well accepted. Aims: To investigate in people with primary lung cancer or head and/or neck cancer, the protective effect of a semi-supervised home-based exercise training (resistance and aerobic) on physical performance, biological and mental outcomes, prevention of the reduction of the initial oncological treatment dose prescribed, number of hospitalizations in three, six and nine months and on 12-month survival. Methods: Participants with primary lung or head and/or neck cancer will be randomized into: TG: Training Group and CG: Control Group. The TG will undergo semi-supervised home-based aerobic and resistance exercise training during their usual oncology treatment (radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) period. This intervention will start one week before the usual oncology treatment, will be performed throughout the duration of the treatment, and will continue for two weeks after treatment completion. The CG will undergo usual oncology treatment. Assessment will take place two weeks before the beginning of the usual oncology treatment and two weeks after treatment completion. Measures will be collected of: physical outcomes (muscle strength, functional capacity and physical activity level), biological parameters (body composition) and mental (symptoms of anxiety and depression, quality of life and symptoms related to the disease and treatment). We will also assess satisfaction with the intervention, hospitalization in 3,6 and 9 months, survival in 12 months and any change in dose of oncological treatment. Statistical Analysis: The data normality will be verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For intra and intergroup analyzes of the basal and final moments of GT and CG, t Student test or Mann-Whitney test will be used, according to the normality of data. (AU)