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Diet and physical activity during oncology therapy

Numerous scientific studies show that exercise therapy can improve the tolerability of cancer treatment (especially chemotherapy/radiation therapy) and the quality of life of patients. Early detection of nutritional problems and appropriate counseling and therapy also help to prevent deficiencies and improve the general condition of patients.

These forms of therapy are currently not yet part of standard care during cancer therapy.

Study objective:

The INTEGRATION program offers this combined treatment approach for outpatient cancer therapy (at initial diagnosis) within the framework of a study. Its aim is to scientifically test this new form of care and to integrate personalized and needs-based nutrition and exercise therapy into outpatient oncological treatment.

If successful, the study will prevent the progression of already manifested diseases through individual needs-based interventions and reinforce the effectiveness of individual measures in the areas of nutrition and exercise.

Supported by a regular resource-oriented needs assessment, standardized questionnaires and device measurements, patients receive multiprofessional and cross-sectoral care in an attempt to improve their quality of life.

Further information in the flyer

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Physical activity against fatigue

If you are in cancer follow-up and continue to struggle with fatigue and tiredness, you can become active against your fatigue syndrome as part of the FatiGo study.

Study Objective:

The goal is to test the immediate effectiveness of supervised exercise therapy on fatigue syndrome. The training will be carried out three times a week for 45 minutes over a total period of four weeks.
The positive efficacy of physical activity will be tested by different training interventions in order to be able to scientifically prove an immediate efficacy of targeted exercise therapy with professional supervision on cancer-induced fatigue.

Further information in the flyer

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Gastrointestinal Tumors: On the Effect of Acupuncture Therapy and Vibration Training in Chemotherapy-Induced Polyneuropathy.

Oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy causes chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN) in up to 92%, with mostly limb sensory deficits and painful insensations. To date, there is no established therapy for sensory deficits and the associated balance and gait disturbances.

Acupuncture is considered a possible therapeutic option for CIPN after chemotherapy. Improvements in neurography have been found as evidence of a neuroregenerative effect; during chemotherapy, these effects are as yet untested. Vibration training is another therapeutic option. For this, improvements in balance, muscle strength, static and dynamic balance control, balance, and mobility have been shown. Evidence of an effect specific to CIPN is still pending.

Study Objective:

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of standardized body acupuncture and vibration training for the prevention of CIPN triggered by oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy for abdominal tumors. Patients will be included prior to initiation of therapy or within the first 2 weeks after initiated chemotherapy.

Twenty-seven patients each will be randomized to vibration training, acupuncture, and acupuncture waiting list and evaluated after 3 months (primary endpoint). Treatment will continue until the end of chemotherapy or for a maximum of 6 months. Patients on the acupuncture waiting list will receive acupuncture treatments after the end of chemotherapy.

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Improving taste perception through individualized training

Therapies of oncological diseases may cause different side effects. One side effect that can occur in oncological patients during or after chemotherapy or radiation in the head and neck area is the impairment of the sense of taste and smell. 2 out of 3 patients report a diminished or absent sense of taste. These disturbances can occur both as acute side effects during ongoing therapy and later as a long-term consequence and can persist permanently. Several studies have shown that taste disturbances have an impact on the patients' dietary behavior both during and after therapy. Taste disturbances have also been associated with decreased caloric intake, reduced appetite, and decreased enjoyment of food. A decreased sense of taste correlates with decreased food intake and the development of aversions to certain foods or food in general. This can lead to malnutrition, which occurs in up to 80% of all cancer patients and has been shown to have negative effects on treatment tolerability and efficacy (worse overall prognosis than patients without malnutrition).

Study Objective:

The focus of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of individualized taste and smell training and structured nutritional counseling to improve taste perception in patients undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, secondary parameters such as malnutrition risk, biochemical parameters, subjective taste perception, quality of life, and disease- and therapy-related symptoms, among others, will be investigated.