P09.05.a impact of a 16-week supervised exercise intervention on cancer-related fatigue in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract BACKGROUND Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is considered one of the most prevalent symptoms in brain tumor patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation (approx. 80 % of those affected). Several studies have identified beneficial effects of physical activity on reducing CRF. However, few studies have examined the reduction of CRF by exercise in glioma patients. Here we present prospective data showing the effect of an intensive 16-week supervised exercise intervention on CRF in neuro-oncological patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between July 2020 and April 2023, patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and after surgery and concomitant radiochemotherapy have been recruited for this single-arm trial in progress. Participants have received a 16-week supervised training intervention on a 1:1-basis consisting of two intensive 50-minute sessions per week (bicycle ergometry at an average of 75 % of maximum heart rate and progressive whole-body resistance training). CRF has been assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ C30). We calculated change scores (scores: 0-100; 100=max. fatigue) from baseline, after 8 weeks, and post-intervention (week 16). RESULTS So far, 26 glioblastoma patients (13 women) aged 35-84 years (mean 59 years) participated in the exercise intervention. All patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (50 % Stupp, 42 % CeTeG, 8 % other). Paired t-test indicated a statistically significant reduction in CRF from baseline to post-intervention (p=.030; 95 % CI: -0.5 - 24.2). Mean scores reduced from 40.4 to 36.2 (week 8) to 26.9 (week 16). However, the decrease between week 0 and week 8 was not yet significant (p=.281; 95 % CI: -7.6 - 13.6). CONCLUSION The present trial shows that a 16-week supervised exercise program can reduce CRF in glioblastoma patients despite adjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, and consistent with studies of exercise interventions in patients of other tumor types, glioblastoma patients have the opportunity to actively contribute to the reduction of tumor- and therapy-induced side effects through intensive physical training.