Research and News
Posts tagged cancer
Thera-Band strengthening exercises lessen fatigue for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
Oct 26th
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Breast and prostate cancer patients often suffer from cancer-related fatigue. While not well-understood, cancer-related fatigue may hamper a cancer patient’s recovery and quality of life. Researchers at the University of Rochester investigated the feasibility and results of 4 weeks of home-based aerobic exercises combined with progressive Thera-Band® resistance band strengthening exercises. 38 patients with breast or prostate cancer beginning radiation therapy were randomized into a control group or exercise group. The exercise group subjects were given an exercise kit containing written instructions, a pedometer, and 3 progressive Thera-Band resistance bands. They exercised 7 days a week and were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day for the aerobic component. They also performed 11 upper body exercises with progressive Thera-Band resistance (Download the Thera-Band cancer radiation therapy strengthening exercise program here).
The exercise group demonstrated good adherence (79%), and reported significantly more physical activity levels than the control group at the 3-month follow-up. In addition, the exercise group reported significantly less fatigue and higher quality of life compared to the control group. While not statistically significant, the exercise group maintained their muscle mass at 3 months follow-up, while More >
Thera-Band exercises help cancer recovery
Jul 22nd
As cancer survival rates increase, older adults are living longer, but often at a lower functional level after cancer treatments. Researchers at Duke University combined home-based Thera-Band exercises for cancer survivors with dietary information in a 12-month program using telephone counseling and mailed print material. The randomized, controlled clinical trial included 641 survivors of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer between 65 and 91 years old. The results, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that cancer surviors participating in the exercise and diet program had less functional decline than the control group not receiving the program. The program participants also significantly improved in lower extremity function, physical activity level, dietary behavior, quality of life, and lost nearly twice as much weight as the control group. The “RENEW” (Reach out to Enhance Wellness) study was supported by Thera-Band Academy for several years.
