Effects of High-intensity Training Compared to Resistance Training in Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Effects of High-intensity Training Compared to Resistance Training in Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a high-intensity aerobic training and resistance training on fatigue in prostate, head and neck and rectum cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

A three-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Patients will be randomised into either a high-intensity aerobic training group or a resistance training group or a control group. Participants in the training groups will exercised for five to eight weeks. Exercise sessions will be take place 3 days per week under the supervision of an experienced therapist. Subjects will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The primary outcome will be fatigue measured using the FACIT-fatigue questionnaire. The secondary outcomes will be: functional capacity, quality of life, executive functions, sleep disturbances, somnolence syndrome, insomnia, depression symptoms.

Inclusion criteria :

• a primary diagnosis of prostate cancer, head and neck cancer (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity/sinuses, or salivary gland) or rectum cancer;
• age over 18 years;
• no distant metastases and/or disease progression;
• at least 25 scheduled radiation treatments (5 weeks);
• ability to read, write, and speak French.

Exclusion criteria :

• uncontrolled cardiac, hypertensive or pulmonary diseases,
• uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,
• neuropsychiatric disorders or orthopaedic conditions that would impair exercise participation
• abnormal electrocardiogram.