Effect of Exercise on Bowel Function in Colorectal Cancer Survivors

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Effect of Exercise on Bowel Function in Colorectal Cancer Survivors

The survival rate of colorectal cancer patients is increasing due to the development of medical technology. However, many colorectal cancer survivors (CRCs) have bowel dysfunction unlike other cancer survivors. After bowel dysfunction of CRCs was known, many previous studies were conducted to improve bowel dysfunction. Medication, probiotics, Biofeedback training (BFT), Kegel exercise, and sacral nerve stimulation were the methods of intervention research to improve bowel movements in CRCs. Research on randomized control trial of BFT and Kegel exercise is very insufficient. Surgery, chemo, and radiation have a lot of influence on the bowel process of CRCs. In particular, damage to the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles, and autonomic nervous system can also be caused by secondary symptoms such as increased fatigue, reduced physical strength, and musculoskeletal diseases. Therefore, the investigators examine that exercise which can improve fatigue, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal disease affects bowel symptoms of colon cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 19 to 70 who have been diagnosed with Sigmoid colon cancer or rectal cancer have surgery for 6 months or more to less than 3 years
2. Three months after chemo and radiation therapy.
3. Six month after stoma take-down
4. Colorectal cancer patients with a LARS (Low Anterior Reservation Syndrome) questionnaire score of 21 or higher

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects who have problems reading or understanding Korean or who have problems communicating with researchers
2. Subjects who plan to undergo surgery at the same time other than colorectal cancer surgery
3. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
4. Subjects who have stoma
5. People who are difficult to exercise in the judgment of the medical staff