
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
This study was to see if a walking programme helped people with rectal cancer.
It was for people diagnosed with cancer of the rectum who were having chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) before surgery.
The study was open for people to join between 2014 and 2016. These results were published in 2019.
Exercise can improve and reduce tiredness in people with cancer. Doctors advise people to keep as fit as possible during and after treatment.
In this study, researchers looked at a walking programme that people with rectal cancer could do from home while they were having chemoradiotherapy.
The aims of the study were to find out:
The trial team found that it is possible to do a walking programme for people with rectal cancer who were having chemoradiotherapy before surgery.
About this study
This was a feasibility trial. 48 people joined the trial.
It was a randomised trial. Everyone was put into 1 of 2 groups. Neither they nor their doctor chose which group they were in:
The walking programme
The least amount of time people did the walking programme was 13 weeks. People in the programme gradually increased their number of average daily steps. Or at least maintained their current number of steps.
Everyone had a weekly diary that contained targets and material to encourage them. They also had a pedometer. This device recorded how many steps they did.
After seeing these people at the start the trial team contacted them a further 8 times by phone. This was to:
They were also encouraged to have a support person for example a spouse to help keep them motivated.
Standard care
The trial team only contacted the people having standard care on 2 occasions.
People in this group maintained their current level of physical activity. They were also offered a counselling session on exercise and an information pack. They didn’t have to attend the session or take the pack if they didn’t want to.
Results of the trial
Of the 78 people who were suitable to join the trial, 48 people did. The reasons for not joining included:
A total of 8 people didn’t complete the study.
This was 6 from the walking programme group:
And the 2 from the standard care group:
Everyone in both groups reported high levels of satisfaction with the trial. And they would recommend the programme to others.
Fewer people in the walking programme reported doing less steps as the trial went on than people in the standard care group. But the trial team couldn’t say if this was a real difference or it happened by chance.
Quality of life
Everyone filled in a few questionnaires before their chemoradiotherapy and after finishing it. The questions asked about:
The team looked at the results. They found that:
But they did report tiredness (fatigue) and embarrassment about their medical condition.
Conclusion
This feasibility trial showed that:
From this the trial team concluded that there was support to do a larger randomised trial.
Where this information comes from
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Miss Susan Moug
Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”