1. Exercise: The Effects During and After Cancer Treatments
Brandon Simpkins

2. Purpose
Examine and analyze the relationship between exercise during and after cancer treatments
Analyze how exercise can improve or decrease quality of life, symptom burden, and efficiency of oncologic treatment
Focus on performance levels among patients during and after exercise
Compare pre- and post-assessment data to come to a conclusion

3. Method & Learning Outcomes
To what extent exercise impacted the body during and after cancer treatment
Focused on cardiovascular, flexibility, and resistance training
Daily living conditions were improved or not
If perceived stress levels were decreased
Followed testing protocols to gather before and after data
Did exercise cause a change in patient’s V02 output
Performance levels
Quality of life
Symptom burden
Psychological state

4. Basic Description of Study
Testing protocols were followed such as exercise testing with appropriate measurements
Walking or jogging test to measure VO2 output
Perceived exertion scale
Spirometer for pulmonary functioning
Modified sit-and-reach test
Perceived stress scale
Pre- and post-surveys were used to assess the focuses of the study, which included:
Symptom burden
Psychological well-being
Quality of life

5. Pre-Exercise and Physical Activity Questionnaire
Instrumentation
Note: This questionnaire was not intended to give any medical clearance of any kind for exercise and physical activity in and out of the home. This was simply to assess the readiness of patients participating in this research study. All answers are confidential.
Pre-Exercise and Physical Activity Questionnaire
Instructions: Place a check mark where appropriate, circle the number appropriate to yourself and answer to the best of your ability and truthfully.
Gender Current Age Category (Circle)
Male or older
Female
Transgender
Choose not to identify
3. Years since diagnosis Type of Cancer (Fill in)
Less than one __________________________
1-2
2-3
4 or more

6. Pre-Exericse and Physical Activity Questionnaire Cont.
5. Type of Treatment (Check all that apply)
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Surgery
Hormonal Therapy
Gene Therapy
Immunology Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplant
Other: ___________________________________________
6. Side Effect(s) Experienced From Treatment (Check all that apply)
Anemia
Anxiety
Bruising easily
Cognitive dysfunction
Decreased bone density
Depression
Fatigue
Increased infections
Muscular weakness
Decreased range of motion or imbalances
Nausea
Vomiting
Blurred vision
Weight gain
Weight loss
Other: ____________________________________________________________________________________
7. List any medications you are currently taking such as blood thinners, pain relievers, etc: _________________________________________________________________

7. Instrumentation

8. Instrumentation

9. Exercise and Physical Activity Survey
Instrumentation
Exercise and Physical Activity Survey
Note: This survey is for overall collective data and is completely anonymous.
Instructions: Circle the corresponding number appropriate to yourself. The scale used is a one through five Likert-type Scale.
How would you rate your energy level throughout daily activities?
1 (Exhausted) (Moderate) (Energetic)
How would you rate your overall motivation and level of self-esteem?
1 (Low) (Moderate) (High)
How would you rate your overall stress levels?
1 (Calm) (Some) (Stressed)
How would you rate your overall pain and discomfort?
1 (Comfortable) 2 3 (Neither) (Uncomfortable)
How would you rate your readiness to exercise?
1 (Not Ready) (So-So) (Ready)

10. Results

11. Results

14. Evaluation & Reflection
Assessment was successful and reached diverse, positive results
Post surveys showed improved quality of life, relief of symptom burden, and an increase in ease of daily activities
Limitation of the study includes small sample size of only ten participants
If study was to be repeated, a larger sample of participants should be acquired
All ten participants saw a decrease in their perceived levels of stress
All ten participants saw an increase in:
Exercise frequency
VO2 output or max
Flexibility

15. References
Cnossen, I., Uden-Kraan, C., Witte, B., Aalders, Y., Goede, C., Bree, R., & … Verdonck-deLeeuw, I. (2017). Prophylactic exercises among head and neck cancer patients during and after swallowing sparing intensity-modulated radiation: adherence and exercise performance levels of a 12-week guided home-based program. European Archives Of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 274(2) doi: /s
Jensen, W., Oechsle, K., Baumann, H. J., Mehnert, A., Klose, H., Bloch, W., & … Baumann, F. T. (2014). Effects of exercise training programs on physical performance and quality of life in patients with metastatic lung cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy - A study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 37(1), doi: /j.cct
McGrath, P., Joske, D., & Bouwman, M. (2011). Benefits from Participation in the Chemo Club: Psychosocial Insights on an Exercise Program for Cancer Patients. Journal Of Psychosocial Oncology, 29(1), doi /