NCT07498985

Exercise for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Sarcopenia

Exercise for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Sarcopenia: a Randomised Controlled Trial.

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 78 (estimated)
• Sponsor: State University of Londrina · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Our primary objective is to assess the effects of exercise on cancer-related sarcopenia and its hallmarks, including muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance. The secondary objectives are to examine exercise adherence and the effects of exercise on health-related quality of life (QoL), cancer-related fatigue, and sleep quality. Additionally, we will explore the effects of exercise on bone and fat mass as secondary outcomes.

Detailed description

Cancer-related sarcopenia is a distinct and severe form of muscle atrophy, as no other condition (e.g., aging, immobilization, or microgravity) results in such profound impairment in patient prognosis. Sarcopenic cancer patients experience greater fatigue, poorer quality of life, longer hospital stays and higher costs, worse cancer outcomes, and increased mortality compared with non-sarcopenic patients. As no pharmacological treatments are approved for sarcopenia, management relies primarily on nutritional strategies and physical exercise. While exercise effectively prevents and attenuates sarcopenia in older adults, its efficacy in cancer patients remains uncertain. Cancer-related sarcopenia is a multifactorial condition driven by tumor progression and cancer therapies. Tumors increase nutrient competition and promote hormonal dysregulation and chronic inflammation, impairing muscle protein balance. In addition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, accelerating muscle wasting and contributing to anabolic resistance-a reduced responsiveness of muscle to stimuli such as exercise. These factors may limit exercise-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in cancer patients.

Conditions

• Cancer
• Sarcopenia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Multimodal, supervised exercise training	The multicomponent exercise intervention included a 10-minute warm-up consisting of balance, coordination, and stretching exercises. The main component was resistance training targeting major upper and lower body muscle groups to improve muscle strength and mass. Six to eight exercises were performed using body weight, elastic bands, and dumbbells. Training progression was achieved by increasing load, repetitions, and/or sets, guided by the 0-10 Borg rating of perceived exertion when health status permitted. The aerobic component consisted of walking progressing to beginner-level running, using short running intervals (50-100 m) interspersed with walking until longer continuous distances were achieved. Heart rate was monitored throughout the aerobic session.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-01
• Primary completion: 2028-04-01
• Completion: 2028-12-01
• First posted: 2026-03-27
• Last updated: 2026-03-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Brazil