Exercise Intervention Study for Pancreatic Cancer Patients

The randomized-controlled balanced-parallel-group trial included 65 adult pancreatic cancer patients (stage I-IV) from the University Surgery Clinic in Heidelberg. The study compared two specific exercise interventions and one standard care control arm. The intervention programs were (1) a 6-month supervised moderate-to-high-intensity, progressive resistance training, and (2) a 6-month home-based exercise training. Thus, the two interventions differed primarily by the intensity and mode-of-administration of the intervention. Both interventions started at the earliest 8 weeks after surgery to allow for wound healing until Maximum 12 months after the surgery. The supervised progressive training started with only moderate-intensity training during the first 4 weeks. Only patients without comorbidities that preclude participation in the intervention arms (e.g. severe pain, heart insufficiency, reduced standing or walking ability) were eligible.

The primary objective is to compare the effects of the different interventions on physical functioning, measured as change from baseline to 6 months. Additional endpoints are overall quality of life, fatigue, endurance, and strength performance, adherence to the interventions, discontinuation of adjuvant therapy, body weight and composition, disease progression, overall and progression-free survival. All outcomes has been assessed every 3 months for a minimum follow-up period of 12 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Pancreatic cancer patients (stage I-IV)
• Patients ≥ 18 years of age
• Resection performed at the University Clinic of Heidelberg
• Sufficient German language skills
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of comorbidities that preclude participation in the intervention arms (e.g. severe pain, heart insufficiency, reduced standing or walking ability)