Feasibility and efficacy of progressive resistance training and dietary supplements in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients--the DAHANCA 25A study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the feasibility of 12 weeks of progressive resistance training (PRT) with or without protein and creatine supplementation in HNSCC patients and assess its effects on lean body mass, muscle strength, and functional performance.
Results Summary
PRT was feasible with high adherence (97%). Both groups showed significant increases in muscle strength and functional performance, with the PROCR group showing a significant increase in lean body mass (2.6 kg) and the PLA group showing a borderline significant increase (1.3 kg). No significant group differences were found.
Population
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radiotherapy.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Progressive resistance training (PRT) | increase | muscle mass | healthy individuals and groups of cancer patients | - | increases | #1 |
protein and creatine supplementation following PRT | increase | - | healthy subjects | - | show an additive effect | #2 |
12 weeks of PRT ± protein and creatine supplementation | neutral | - | HNSCC patients | - | feasibility | #3 |
PRT ± dietary supplementation | neutral | lean body mass (LBM), muscle strength and functional performance | HNSCC patients | - | group changes over time and group differences | #4 |
PRT with creatine and protein supplementation (PROCR group) | increase | LBM | PROCR group | 2.6 ± 2.2 kg | increased significantly | #5 |
PRT with placebo supplementation (PLA group) | increase | LBM | PLA group | 1.3 ± 1.1 kg | increased | #6 |
PRT | increase | maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength as well as functional performance | both groups | - | increased significantly | #7 |
PRT | neutral | - | radiotherapy treated HNSCC patients | - | is feasible | #8 |
PRT | increase | lean body mass, muscle strength and functional performance | both groups | - | increased significantly | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often lose a considerable amount of muscle mass following the disease and treatment. This is an independent mortality predictor, lowering muscle strength and functional performance. Progressive resistance training (PRT) increases muscle mass among healthy individuals and groups of cancer patients, but it has not been investigated in HNSCC patients. Furthermore, studies in healthy subjects show an additive effect of protein and creatine supplementation following PRT. OBJECTIVES: Firstly, to investigate the feasibility of 12 weeks of PRT ± protein and creatine supplementation among HNSCC patients. Secondly, to investigate group changes over time and group differences regarding lean body mass (LBM), muscle strength and functional performance following PRT ± dietary supplementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized into two groups: a PROCR group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial creatine loading protocol followed by 12 weeks of PRT with creatine and protein supplementation and a PLA group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial placebo ingestion protocol followed by an identical PRT protocol with placebo supplementation. Before the pre-trial and pre- and post-PRT evaluation of LBM, maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength and functional performance were performed. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the patients completed the intervention and the PRT adherence rate was 97%. No significant group differences were found in any endpoints. From pre- to post-PRT, LBM increased significantly in the PROCR group by 2.6 ± 2.2 kg (p < 0.0001) and increased in the PLA group (1.3 ± 1.1 kg, p = 0.07). Maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength as well as functional performance increased significantly in both groups. CONCLUSION: PRT is feasible in radiotherapy treated HNSCC patients. Following PRT, lean body mass, muscle strength and functional performance increased significantly in both groups (LBM only borderline significant in PLA group) with no significant group difference in any endpoint.