Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial

Schink K, Gaßner H, Reljic D, Herrmann HJ, Kemmler W, Schwappacher R, Meyer J, Eskofier B, Winkler J, Neurath M, Klucken J, Zopf Y (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

European Journal of Cancer Care Wiley-Blackwell

Article Number: e13199

DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13199

Abstract

Objective: Gait is a sensitive marker for functional declines commonly seen in patients treated for advanced cancer. We tested the effect of a combined exercise and nutrition programme on gait parameters of advanced-stage cancer patients using a novel wearable gait analysis system. Methods: Eighty patients were allocated to a control group with nutritional support or to an intervention group additionally receiving whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training (2×/week). At baseline and after 12 weeks, physical function was assessed by a biosensor-based gait analysis during a six-minute walk test, a 30-s sit-to-stand test, a hand grip strength test, the Karnofsky Index and EORTC QLQ–C30 questionnaire. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and inflammation by blood analysis. Results: Final analysis included 41 patients (56.1% male; 60.0 ± 13.0 years). After 12 weeks, the WB-EMS group showed higher stride length, gait velocity (p <.05), six-minute walking distance (p <.01), bodyweight and skeletal muscle mass, and emotional functioning (p <.05) compared with controls. Correlations between changes in gait and in body composition, physical function and inflammation were detected. Conclusion: Whole-body electromyostimulation combined with nutrition may help to improve gait and functional status of cancer patients. Sensor-based mobile gait analysis objectively reflects patients’ physical status and could support treatment decisions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kristin Schink Professur für Integrative Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Ernährungsmedizin (Stiftungsprofessur der Hector Stiftung II gGmbH) Heiko Gaßner Department of Molecular Neurology Dejan Reljic Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Wolfgang Kemmler Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik (IMP) Björn Eskofier Lehrstuhl für Informatik 14 (Machine Learning and Data Analytics) Jürgen Winkler Professur für Molekulare Neurologie Markus Neurath Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I (Medizin 1) Jochen Klucken Department of Molecular Neurology Yurdagül Zopf Professur für Integrative Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Ernährungsmedizin (Stiftungsprofessur der Hector Stiftung II gGmbH)

Additional Organisation(s)

Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab

How to cite

APA:

Schink, K., Gaßner, H., Reljic, D., Herrmann, H.J., Kemmler, W., Schwappacher, R.,... Zopf, Y. (2019). Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial. European Journal of Cancer Care. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13199

MLA:

Schink, Kristin, et al. "Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial." European Journal of Cancer Care (2019).

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