Physical exercise for cancer patients with advanced disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical exercise can improve cancer patients' functioning and reduce their symptom levels. A randomized, controlled trial was launched to test the hypothesis that physical exercise reduces fatigue and improves physical performance in cancer patients with advanced and incurable disease.

Methods: Cancer patients (n = 231) with a life expectancy ≤2 years were randomized to a physical exercise group (PEG, n = 121) or a control usual care group (UCG, n = 110).

Are palliative cancer patients willing and able to participate in a physical exercise program?

Objective: The primary aim of the present article was to identify palliative care patient populations who are willing to participate in and able to complete a group exercise/physical training program designed specifically for the individual patient.

Method: We conducted a prospective phase II intervention study examining the willingness and ability of palliative care cancer patients to participate in a group exercise physical training program. Patients who were diagnosed with incurable cancer and had a life expectancy of less than 1 year at two outpatient clinics were invited to participate in an exercise program in the hospitals.

The effect of a physical exercise program in palliative care: A phase II study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of a physical exercise program on physical performance and quality of life (QOL) in a population with incurable cancer and a short life expectancy. Thirty-four patients participated in a 50-minute group exercise program twice a week for 6 weeks. Physical performance was measured by three tests: "6-minute walk test," "timed repeated sit to stand," and "functional reach.