The effects of a 3-month walking and dietary education program on the quality of life of patients with esophageal cancer: a 1-year follow-up randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 12-week rehabilitation program combining walking exercise and diet education improved quality of life, rest/activity circadian rhythm, and sleep in patients with esophageal cancer.
Results Summary
The intervention significantly improved rest/activity circadian rhythm at 6 months and increased total sleep time at 3 months in the experimental group compared to standard care. No significant adverse effects were reported, but the study did not explicitly assess safety concerns related to walking.
Population
Patients with esophageal cancer (majority male, average age 59, post-surgery).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (walking exercise frequency/intensity not detailed).
Duration
12-week intervention, with follow-up measurements at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-week rehabilitation program of exercise combined with diet education | increase | rest/activity circadian rhythm (RACR) | patients with esophageal cancer | - | improved | #1 |
12-week rehabilitation program of exercise combined with diet education | increase | sleep | patients with esophageal cancer | - | improved | #2 |
12-week rehabilitation program of exercise combined with diet education | increase | 24-h autocorrelation coefficient of rest/activity rhythms parameters | patients with esophageal cancer | 0.06 to 0.24 | recorded significantly better | #3 |
12-week rehabilitation program of exercise combined with diet education | increase | total sleep time | patients with esophageal cancer | 16.36 to 86.07 | significantly increased | #4 |
PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a 12-week rehabilitation program of exercise combined with diet education on the quality of life (QOL) and symptoms (anxiety, depression, rest/activity circadian rhythm (RACR), and sleep) of patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: We used a two-parallel-arms randomized controlled trial. The experimental group (EG) participated in a 12-week program involving walking exercise and diet education. The control group (CG) received standard care. The primary outcome was QOL, measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and esophageal module 18 (EORTC QLQ-OES18). Secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression, RACR, and sleep characteristics. Measurement time points were baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after recruitment. RESULTS: Of 85 enrolled patients with esophageal cancer (EG = 43, CG = 42), the majority were male, 59 years old on average, and had received surgery. The EG recorded significantly better 24-h autocorrelation coefficient (0.06 to 0.24, p = 0.002; Cohen's d = 0.98) of rest/activity rhythms parameters at 6 months. In the EG, total sleep time significantly increased at 3 months (16.36 to 86.07, p = 0.004; Cohen's d = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention improved the RACR and sleep of patients with esophageal cancer. Healthcare professionals may consider incorporating this rehabilitation program into routine care alongside cancer treatment for patients with esophageal cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number: NCT03161535). Prospectively registered on 17 May 2017.