Effect of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Muscle Mass, Fatigue, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Oral Cancer: A Randomized Trial.

Abstract

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) often experience deteriorated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and loss of body weight and muscle mass. The primary aim was to determine if a home-based exercise program, aiming to increase physical activity (PA), could reduce muscle mass loss and fatigue. Oral cancer patients were randomized to an exercise group (EG) or a control group (CG). The EG received a home-based exercise program, and both groups were followed for 1 year. The Frändin/Grimby activity scale, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and HRQoL questionnaires were used to assess PA, muscle mass, and fatigue. In total, 119 patients were included. The EG increased their PA, but no differences in muscle mass were found between groups. A tendency toward less fatigue and better global QoL was observed in the EG. Future studies are needed to explore the possible benefits of PA in patients with HNC.