Neoplasms, ColorectalFAKTNCT03885817
Physically Active During Cancer Treatment (FAKT)
A study testing Exercise training and nutritional guide and Standard follow-up care in people with Neoplasms, Colorectal, run by St. Olavs Hospital at 5 sites in Norway.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether an individually tailored exercise program and nutritional guide can affect the development of self-reported peripheral sensory neuropathy and fatigue in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Neoplasms, Colorectal
- What is being tested?
- Exercise training and nutritional guide and Standard follow-up care
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesNorway
- Study dates
- 27 Mar 2019to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Radical resection for colon- or rectal cancer past 3 months, and scheduled for adjuvant, Oxaliplatin-based, combination chemotherapy.
- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma.
- Able to read and understand Norwegian.
- Able to carry out the intervention.
- Performance Status (PS) 0 - 2.
Who cannot join
- Serious comorbidities that contraindicate physical exercise, based on the treating physician's assessment.
- Unable to give informed consent.
- Treated for other cancer last 5 years prior to inclusion (with the exceptions of basal cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in situ in the cervix).
- Prior treatment with Oxaliplatin
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country.
5 sites in 1 country
Norway5 sites
Ålesund sjukehus
Ålesund
Sørlandet sykehus, Kristiansand
Kristiansand
Levanger sykehus
Levanger
Ullevål
Oslo
Kreftklinikken, St Olavs Hospital
Trondheim
About this study
Official title: Physically Active During Cancer Treatment
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether an individually tailored exercise program and nutritional guide can affect the development of self-reported peripheral sensory neuropathy and fatigue in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
Read the detailed description
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Norway with 4332 new cases in 2017. Standard of care is radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for some, depending on the stage of the disease. Most commonly, a combination of Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil is given for 3 to 6 months.
A common side effect of Oxaliplatin is peripheral sensory neuropathy, which occur in different degree in over 90 % of the patients. There is no established treatment to prevent or reduce Oxaliplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. A few minor studies have been published indicating that physical activity can reduce the patient's experience of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Most patients receiving chemotherapy will experience fatigue in some degree. It has been shown in several studies that exercise can reduce cancer related fatigue, though most studies have been performed among women with breast cancer.
There are a limited number of randomized controlled clinical trials looking at the effects of physical exercise during ongoing adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. Thus, there is a clear need for further studies on physical exercise in this patient group.
In the period from January 2017 to November 2018 the investigators did a non-randomized pilot study to test the feasibility of the exercise intervention in this patient group, and to calculate sample size for the randomized trial.
The 9-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) sensory subscale will be used to measure peripheral sensory neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 9 to 36. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity). A difference of 10 is considered clinically significant. The sample size calculation is based on a two-sided t-test. Aim is to demonstrate a difference in patient-reported sensory peripheral neuropathy between the two groups 3 months after randomization. It is postulated that the intervention group develops less degree of peripheral sensory neuropathy than the control group. Based on the answers obtained from the questionnaire in the pilot study, a standard deviation (SD) of 12.5 is assumed for the change between baseline and 3 months. To detect a difference of 10 with a strength of 80% and with a significance level of 0.05, there should be 25 patients in each arm. A drop out of 20% is taken into account based on experience in the pilot study. This suggests that 64 patients should be included in this study.
Patients scheduled for adjuvant Oxaliplatin based combination chemotherapy will be recruited from cancer clinics in Norway, and randomized to an intervention group or a control group. Before randomization and start of the first cycle of chemotherapy, the study participants will perform baseline testing and fill in the different questionnaires.
The intervention with exercise training starts around the same time as adjuvant chemotherapy starts, usually 4 -6 weeks postoperatively, and lasts as long as the adjuvant treatment, i.e. 3 - 6 months. Participants start with an individual session with a physiotherapist at the hospital. A treadmill submaximal heart rate test is done to give the participants instructions regarding the recommended intensity zones during cardio training.
The exercise intervention consists of three components: sensorimotor training (SMT), strength exercises, and aerobic training. The SMT and strength exercises are carried out twice a week as guided training together with the physiotherapist, each session lasting 30 minutes. In addition, instruction is given to do minimum 90 minutes a week of moderate intensity (60 - 75 % of maximum heart rate) home-based aerobic training, or 45 minutes with high intensity (80 - 85 % of maximum heart rate) aerobic training.
Participants in the intervention group receive a pulse watch to guide the intensity of the aerobic exercise. The participants will register completed training in a training log. Based on previous experience with physical activity and exercise, individual guidance is provided.
Once a month participants will fill out the form, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF), and will be referred to a nutritionist if the score is 2 or higher. Regardless of the score on this form and group affiliation, participants may be referred to a nutritionist based on clinical judgment.
In the pilot study, also a qualitative study was carried out with semi-structured interviews evaluating patient's expectations and experiences regarding the physical exercise training. Depending on the information power obtained in the current sample, additional interviews of patients in this randomized trial might be done.
- Conditions
- Neoplasms, Colorectal
- Being tested
- Exercise training and nutritional guide, Standard follow-up care
- Keywords
- Exercise therapy, Fatigue, Adjuvant chemotherapy, Peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy induced, Nutritional guide
- Medical subject headings
- Colorectal Neoplasms, Fatigue, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise training and nutritional guideBehavioural
30 minutes of a combination of sensorimotor- and strength training guided by a physical therapist twice a week. In addition 90 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic training or 45 minutes a week of high intensity aerobic training. Once a month the participants will fill out the form, PG-SGA SF, and he or she will be referred to a nutritionist if the score is 2 or higher. The intervention period lasts as long as the participants receives adjuvant chemotherapy, i.e. 3 - 6 months.
Standard follow-up careOther
standard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition during the period with adjuvant chemotherapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise training and nutritional guide | Experimental | Standard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition. An individually tailored exercise program and nutritional guide during adjuvant chemotherapy. Receives: Behavioral: Exercise training and nutritional guide; Other: Standard follow-up care |
| Standard follow-up care | Active comparator | Standard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition. Receives: Other: Standard follow-up care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient reported peripheral sensory neuropathy
The 9-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) sensory subscale will be used to measure sensory neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 9 to 36. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity).
Measured: Baseline to 3 months
Secondary outcomes (27)
Fatigue
Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ) will be used to measure fatigue. FQ contains 13 questions, is generic, and has well-documented psychometric properties. Each question is rated on a scale from 0 ("not at all" or "less than usual") to 3 ("much worse than usual"). FQ measures physical fatigue (PF) (seven questions, scores between 0-21) and mental fatigue (MF) (four questions, scores between 0-12). All questions are combined and constitute total fatigue (TF) (scores between 0-33) Higher scores indicate more fatigue.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported peripheral sensory neuropathy.
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) is a twenty questions quality-of-life questionnaire that has been developed to elicit patients' experience of symptoms and functional limitations related to CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy). CIPN20 has 3 sub-scales; a sensory, a motor and an autonomous. The sensory subscale has 9 items where each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 9 to 36. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported motor neuropathy
The 8-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) motor subscale will be used to measure motor neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 8 to 32. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported autonomic neuropathy
The 3-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) autonomic subscale will be used to measure autonomic neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 3 to 12. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Clinicians reported neuropathy
Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0 will be used to grade neuropathy using the CTCAE terms Paresthesia (grade 1 -3), Peripheral sensory neuropathy (grade 1 - 4) and Peripheral motor neuropathy (grade 1 - 5). Grading will be performed at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in body mass index (BMI)
Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2. These measures will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in systolic blood pressure (sBP)
sBP is measured in mmHg (millimeter Mercury). This measure will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in diastolic blood pressure (dBP)
dBP is measured in mmHg (millimeter Mercury). This measure will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in waist circumference.
The waist circumference is measured when the patient is standing upright. Locate the midpoint between the lower rib and the top of the iliac crest and mark the point with a marker. Do not use the umbilicus as a measuring point. Place the tape measure on the mark. Ask the patient to hold the tape measure while walking around the patient. Check that the tape measure is horizontal in the middle of the back and that it lies against the body without tightening. Ask the patient to breathe out quietly. Read the circumference to the nearest 0.1 cm. Repeat the measurement and calculate the average.This measure will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in HDL-cholesterol
serum HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L). Blood analysis will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Triglycerides
serum-triglycerides (mmol/L). Blood analysis will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Blood HbA1c (mmol/mol). Blood analysis will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Glucose
serum glucose (mmol/L). Fasting blood analysis will be taken at baseline, after 3 and 12 months for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, and at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Body Composition
A Dexa Scan will be performed to evaluate change in Body Composition
Measured: Baseline to 3 and 12 months
Nutritional status
At baseline and thereafter once a month until completion of adjuvant therapy, nutritional status is evaluated with the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF). This is a validated questionnaire, filled in by the patients to determine malnutrition status. The short form consists of four boxes with different questions. Box 1 is about weight and weight loss, and the score ranges from 0 - 5, where higher score indicates more weight loss. Box 2 is about food intake, and the score range is from 0 - 4, where higher score indicates more difficulties with food intake. Box 3 is about symptoms that have kept one from eating enough past two weeks. The score range is from 0 - 24, where higher score indicates more symptoms. Box 4 is about activities and function, and the score range is from 0 - 3, where higher score indicates a lower functional level.
Measured: Baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months
Change in Quality Of Life: EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0
The cancer-specific questionnaire European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0) measures health-related quality of life. Participants rate the degree that each item has applied to them during the past week on a four-point Likert scale (1, not at all; 4, very much). The average of the item scores gives a raw score, and the raw score will be transformed to a 0 to 100 scale. Higher scores indicate higher QOL.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 1
At the end of adjuvant treatment, the percentage given by Oxaliplatin relative to the calculated full dose is calculated (%)
Measured: 3 to 6 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 2
At the end of adjuvant treatment, the percentage given by Fluorouracil or Capecitabine relative to the calculated full dose is calculated (%)
Measured: 3 to 6 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 3
At the end of adjuvant treatment,the total number of days the treatment courses have been delayed are calculated (days).
Measured: 3 to 6 months
Physical capacity
The submaximal exercise test, "Modified Shuttle Walk Test", is used to measure physical capacity. The test is performed three times in those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3 and 12 months), and four times in those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Self-reported physical activity
Self-reported physical activity is measured using three questions from the Health Survey in Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT) which include frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Muscle strength
Strength of the lower limbs is indirectly measured by the test "Sit to Stand" which records how many times the patient is able to stand up and sit down from a chair within 30 seconds. This is measured three times for those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3 and 12 months). This is measured four times for those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Balance 1
Balance is measured with the test "Tandem standing". The test is performed with both closed and open eyes, and measures how many seconds (up to a maximum of 30 seconds), one can stand in the tandem position. The test is performed three times in those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3 and 12 months), and four times in those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Balance 2
Balance is measured with the test "Standing balance on one and one leg". The test is performed with both closed and open eyes, and measures how many seconds (up to a maximum of 30 seconds), one can stand on one leg. The test is performed three times in those who receives 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3 and 12 months), and four times in those who receives 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months).
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Haematological toxicity
Using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0, all grade 3 or more events for platelet- or neutrophil count will be registered. In addition, all admissions to hospital due to febrile neutropenia will be registered.
Measured: Baseline to 6 months.
Time before return to work
The rate of sick leave is recorded at baseline and every 3 months up to one year after inclusion using a questionnaire. This is also recorded after 2 and 3 years, using the same questionnaire.
Measured: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Overall- and disease free survival
Time of recurrence or death is recorded by annual journal review for up to 5 years after inclusion. This is defined as time from randomization to respectively recurrence or death.
Measured: Baseline to 5 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Mar 2019
- Study start27 Mar 2019
- Primary completion13 Sep 2022
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neoplasms, ColorectalStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by St. Olavs HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- St. Olavs Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Alesund Hospital, Helse Nord-Trøndelag HF, Ullevaal University Hospital, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Asker & Baerum Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Arne Solberg, md phd, Study director, St. Olavs Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03885817
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2015/1050
- Acronym
- FAKT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Feb 2019
- Last updated
- 20 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Hatlevoll I, Oldervoll LM, Wibe A, Stene GB, Stafne SN, Hofsli E. Physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer-a non-randomized feasibility study. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Jun;29(6):2993-3008. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05789-z. Epub 2020 Oct 8.
PubMed 33030598
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Physically Active During Cancer Treatment
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03885817
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FAKT / 2015/1050
- Conditions
- Neoplasms, Colorectal
- Keywords
- Exercise therapy, Fatigue, Adjuvant chemotherapy, Peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy induced, Nutritional guide
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- St. Olavs HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Alesund Hospital, Helse Nord-Trøndelag HF, Ullevaal University Hospital, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Asker & Baerum Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital
- Study start
- 27 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 13 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether an individually tailored exercise program and nutritional guide can affect the development of self-reported peripheral sensory neuropathy and fatigue in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
Detailed description
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Norway with 4332 new cases in 2017. Standard of care is radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for some, depending on the stage of the disease. Most commonly, a combination of Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil is given for 3 to 6 months.
A common side effect of Oxaliplatin is peripheral sensory neuropathy, which occur in different degree in over 90 % of the patients. There is no established treatment to prevent or reduce Oxaliplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. A few minor studies have been published indicating that physical activity can reduce the patient's experience of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Most patients receiving chemotherapy will experience fatigue in some degree. It has been shown in several studies that exercise can reduce cancer related fatigue, though most studies have been performed among women with breast cancer.
There are a limited number of randomized controlled clinical trials looking at the effects of physical exercise during ongoing adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. Thus, there is a clear need for further studies on physical exercise in this patient group.
In the period from January 2017 to November 2018 the investigators did a non-randomized pilot study to test the feasibility of the exercise intervention in this patient group, and to calculate sample size for the randomized trial.
The 9-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) sensory subscale will be used to measure peripheral sensory neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 9 to 36. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity). A difference of 10 is considered clinically significant. The sample size calculation is based on a two-sided t-test. Aim is to demonstrate a difference in patient-reported sensory peripheral neuropathy between the two groups 3 months after randomization. It is postulated that the intervention group develops less degree of peripheral sensory neuropathy than the control group. Based on the answers obtained from the questionnaire in the pilot study, a standard deviation (SD) of 12.5 is assumed for the change between baseline and 3 months. To detect a difference of 10 with a strength of 80% and with a significance level of 0.05, there should be 25 patients in each arm. A drop out of 20% is taken into account based on experience in the pilot study. This suggests that 64 patients should be included in this study.
Patients scheduled for adjuvant Oxaliplatin based combination chemotherapy will be recruited from cancer clinics in Norway, and randomized to an intervention group or a control group. Before randomization and start of the first cycle of chemotherapy, the study participants will perform baseline testing and fill in the different questionnaires.
The intervention with exercise training starts around the same time as adjuvant chemotherapy starts, usually 4 -6 weeks postoperatively, and lasts as long as the adjuvant treatment, i.e. 3 - 6 months. Participants start with an individual session with a physiotherapist at the hospital. A treadmill submaximal heart rate test is done to give the participants instructions regarding the recommended intensity zones during cardio training.
The exercise intervention consists of three components: sensorimotor training (SMT), strength exercises, and aerobic training. The SMT and strength exercises are carried out twice a week as guided training together with the physiotherapist, each session lasting 30 minutes. In addition, instruction is given to do minimum 90 minutes a week of moderate intensity (60 - 75 % of maximum heart rate) home-based aerobic training, or 45 minutes with high intensity (80 - 85 % of maximum heart rate) aerobic training.
Participants in the intervention group receive a pulse watch to guide the intensity of the aerobic exercise. The participants will register completed training in a training log. Based on previous experience with physical activity and exercise, individual guidance is provided.
Once a month participants will fill out the form, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF), and will be referred to a nutritionist if the score is 2 or higher. Regardless of the score on this form and group affiliation, participants may be referred to a nutritionist based on clinical judgment.
In the pilot study, also a qualitative study was carried out with semi-structured interviews evaluating patient's expectations and experiences regarding the physical exercise training. Depending on the information power obtained in the current sample, additional interviews of patients in this randomized trial might be done.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise training and nutritional guide | Experimental | Behavioral: Exercise training and nutritional guide, Other: Standard follow-up careStandard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition. An individually tailored exercise program and nutritional guide during adjuvant chemotherapy. |
| Standard follow-up care | Active comparator | Other: Standard follow-up careStandard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Radical resection for colon- or rectal cancer past 3 months, and scheduled for adjuvant, Oxaliplatin-based, combination chemotherapy.
- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma.
- Able to read and understand Norwegian.
- Able to carry out the intervention.
- Performance Status (PS) 0 - 2.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Serious comorbidities that contraindicate physical exercise, based on the treating physician's assessment.
- Unable to give informed consent.
- Treated for other cancer last 5 years prior to inclusion (with the exceptions of basal cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in situ in the cervix).
- Prior treatment with Oxaliplatin
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise training and nutritional guide30 minutes of a combination of sensorimotor- and strength training guided by a physical therapist twice a week. In addition 90 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic training or 45 minutes a week of high intensity aerobic training. Once a month the participants will fill out the form, PG-SGA SF, and he or she will be referred to a nutritionist if the score is 2 or higher. The intervention period lasts as long as the participants receives adjuvant chemotherapy, i.e. 3 - 6 months. | Behavioural | Exercise training and nutritional guide |
| Standard follow-up carestandard recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition during the period with adjuvant chemotherapy. | Other | Exercise training and nutritional guide, Standard follow-up care |
Primary outcome
Patient reported peripheral sensory neuropathy
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months
The 9-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN20) sensory subscale will be used to measure sensory neuropathy. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"), and the total raw score ranges from 9 to 36. The raw scores will be linearly transformed to a 0 to 100 scale (higher scores represent worse CIPN severity).
27 secondary outcomes
Fatigue
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported peripheral sensory neuropathy.
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported motor neuropathy
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Change in patient reported autonomic neuropathy
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Clinicians reported neuropathy
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in body mass index (BMI)
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in systolic blood pressure (sBP)
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in diastolic blood pressure (dBP)
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in waist circumference.
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in HDL-cholesterol
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Triglycerides
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Glucose
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Change in Body Composition
Time frame: Baseline to 3 and 12 months
Nutritional status
Time frame: Baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months
Change in Quality Of Life: EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 1
Time frame: 3 to 6 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 2
Time frame: 3 to 6 months
Completion of adjuvant treatment 3
Time frame: 3 to 6 months
Physical capacity
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Self-reported physical activity
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Balance 1
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Balance 2
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months.
Haematological toxicity
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months.
Time before return to work
Time frame: Baseline to 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months
Overall- and disease free survival
Time frame: Baseline to 5 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Jul 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33030598Hatlevoll I, Oldervoll LM, Wibe A, Stene GB, Stafne SN, Hofsli E. Physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer-a non-randomized feasibility study. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Jun;29(6):2993-3008. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05789-z. Epub 2020 Oct 8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Arne Solberg, md phd study director
St. Olavs Hospital
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise training and nutritional guide and Standard follow-up care in people with Neoplasms, Colorectal, run by St. Olavs Hospital at 5 sites in Norway.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient reported peripheral sensory neuropathy (time frame: Baseline to 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03885817, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.