Physical Activity and Dexamethasone for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Preliminary Placebo-Controlled, Randomized,...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Exercise Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) and dexamethasone (Dex) offer modest benefits for cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
• Combining PA with Dex may enhance CRF management in advanced cancer patients.
• Feasibility of PA+Dex versus PA+Placebo (PBO) for CRF requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility (adherence, safety, satisfaction) of combining PA with Dex versus PA+PBO for CRF.
• To explore the effects of PA+Dex and PA+PBO on CRF in advanced cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• Phase II, randomized, double-blind controlled trial.
• Patients with advanced cancer and CRF (ESAS score ≥4) received standardized PA for 4 weeks with either Dex (4 mg twice daily for 7 days) or PBO.
• Changes in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scores were assessed at days 8 and 29.

Main Results:

• High adherence (91-92% for medication, 70-83% for PA) and satisfaction (98% for PA+Dex) were observed.
• PA+Dex demonstrated clinically significant improvements in FACIT-F scores at days 8 (9 points) and 29 (5.75 points).
• No significant difference in grade ≥3 adverse events between PA+Dex and PA+PBO arms.

Conclusions:

• Combination of PA+Dex and PA+PBO is feasible, well-tolerated, and associated with high satisfaction and adherence.
• PA+Dex resulted in clinically significant improvements in CRF.
• Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings.