Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy struggle with memory lapses, poor concentration and mental fog, a condition commonly known as “chemo brain.” Now, a new study suggests that regular exercise may help reduce some of these cognitive problems during treatment.
The findings come from a Phase II clinical trial published in ‘CANCER’, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Researchers say cancer-related cognitive impairment affects up to 80% of people receiving chemotherapy. Symptoms can include difficulty focusing, remembering information and managing multiple tasks at once.
To explore possible solutions, scientists tested whether exercise, low-dose ibuprofen, or a combination of both could help protect brain function during chemotherapy.
The study involved 86 cancer patients who reported cognitive difficulties while receiving chemotherapy. Participants were randomly divided into four groups for six weeks: a home-based exercise programme combined with low-dose ibuprofen, exercise with a placebo, ibuprofen only, and placebo only.
The exercise programme, known as Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP), included low-to-moderate intensity walking and resistance exercises that participants could do at home.
After six weeks, researchers found that patients who followed the exercise programme without ibuprofen performed significantly better on attention-related tests compared to those who received only a placebo.
Patients who took low-dose ibuprofen alone also showed some improvement in attention, although the benefits were less consistent than those seen with exercise.
The study also found that participants in the exercise groups were less likely to have cognitive problems noticed by family members, friends or colleagues.
However, researchers observed mixed results for ibuprofen. Patients taking the medication showed less improvement in short-term verbal memory compared to those who were not taking it, suggesting that more research is needed to understand its effects.
Overall, the findings indicate that exercise may help preserve cognitive function and reduce some symptoms of chemo brain during chemotherapy treatment.
Lead researcher Michelle C. Janelsins said the results were encouraging, particularly because exercise offers many additional health benefits for cancer survivors.
She noted that this is among the first studies specifically designed to examine the impact of exercise and anti-inflammatory medication on chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment using both cognitive tests and patient feedback.
Researchers stressed that larger Phase III trials will be needed to confirm the findings and determine the most effective exercise routines and ibuprofen doses.
They also advised patients experiencing cognitive difficulties during cancer treatment to consult their healthcare providers before starting any new exercise programme or medication.
Source: Science Daily