Article

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the feasibility of delivering a structured physical
therapy (PT) program as part of a multidisciplinary intervention to patients
undergoing outpatient radiation therapy for advanced cancer. DESIGN: A
single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial at a quaternary medical center
outpatient clinic. One hundred three adults undergoing radiation therapy for
advanced cancer with prognoses > or =6 mos and 5-yr survival estimates < or =50%
were randomized to usual care or participation in eight 90-min, multidisciplinary
interventional sessions with 30 mins of each session devoted to PT. PT consisted
of truncal and limb isodynamic strengthening targeting major upper- and
lower-limb muscle groups as well as education and provision with instructional
materials. Physical well-being and fatigue were assessed with Linear Analog Scale
of Assessment. The Profile of Mood States-Short form, including Fatigue-Inertia
and Vigor-Activity subscales, was also administered. RESULTS: PT session
attendance was 89.3%. Relative to baseline, mean physical well-being Linear
Analog Self Assessment scores at week 4 improved in the intervention group, 0.4
(SD, 23.6), and declined significantly in the control group, -10.0 (SD, 21.5) (P
= 0.02). Fatigue and vigor were not significantly different between the groups.
All intergroup differences had resolved at 8 and 27 wks. Baseline characteristics
were not associated with the magnitude or direction of change in outcomes related
to physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of a standardized resistive
exercise PT intervention is feasible during outpatient radiation therapy and is
associated with preserved physical well-being. However, benefits were not
sustained, and fatigue was not affected.

Langue : ANGLAIS