Poster Presentation Cancer Survivorship 2019

Can an individualised exercise program assist in maintenance of HRQOL in low and high grade glioma patients undergoing post-operative chemo-radiotherapy? (#121)

Ali Dulfikar 1 , Eng-Siew Koh 2 3 , Zarnie Lwin 4 5 , Elizabeth Hovey 3 6 , Haryana Dhilon 7 , Mark Pinkham 5 8 , Jesica Arundell 2 , Elizabeth Pinkham 8 , Jocelyn Foo 8 , Jaala Hides 8 , Fiona Naumann 1
  1. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool,, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. University of New South Wales, , Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  5. University of Queensland, Brisbane, NSW, Australia
  6. Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, , Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  8. Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Aims

Optimal glioma treatment includes maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy - however treatment toxicities are common that adversely affect HRQOL. This study aimed to assess the effect of an individualised exercise prescription during chemo-radiation and its effects on HRQOL.

Methods

Since 2015, 21 patients with grade II-IV glioma at Liverpool and Princess Alexandra Hospitals were prospectively recruited as part of an ongoing exercise feasibility study. Patients were prescribed a thrice-weekly individualised exercise program during radiation, and completed the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire pre radiation and then 7 weeks later. Change scores were calculated using the computed function of SPSS25 and used to describe the direction of change within EORTC-QLQ-C30 domains across time-points. Linear transformations convert scores into percentages with a higher score representing higher functioning and QOL.

 Results

On average, comparing baseline to week 7 assessments, all functional scales showed positive increases except for cognitive functioning which decreased slightly. Mean increases for Physical Functioning was (M=8, SD=23), Role functioning was M= 16, SD = 31; and Emotional Functioning was M=19, SD= 28 respectively. Global Health and Quality of life increased by (M=6, SD= 27).A mean decrease was noted with respect to Cognitive Functioning - M= -0.05, SD= 34).

Discussion

Despite the expected acute side-effects (including fatigue) anticipated with post-operative chemo-radiation in glioma patients, these preliminary results suggest that a tailored physical activity program could mitigate against treatment side-effects and thus help to maintain quality of life. Further recruitment is ongoing with QOL measures to be analysed at later time-points to assess if these early effects can be maintained.