Curative treatment for oesophageal carcinoma (OC) is associated with numerous side-effects such as cachexia and inflammation, which are known to increase morbidity, decrease functional capacity and decrease health-related quality of life post treatment. Despite these known side-effects, the rehabilitative needs and rehabilitation strategies for the newly-emerging cohort of OC survivors is poorly investigated. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation following cancer treatment may play a critical role in optimising patient function, reducing the impact of disease and treatment-related side-effects and reducing the risk of secondary morbidity.
This work consists of a principal study and a feasibility study. The principal study will be completed in two phases. In Phase I, newly-diagnosed OC patients who are scheduled for curative treatment will be enrolled onto a prospective longitudinal analysis examining the impact of progressive cachexia and metabolic dysfunction on physical functioning during treatment. In Phase II, a 12 week multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme, consisting of a walking intervention, nutritional advice and education sessions, will be implemented within the first six months of survivorship, aimed at improving functional ability. A total sample of 88 participants will be recruited for Phase I, with an anticipated 44 participants suitable for randomisation in Phase II. A separate feasibility study will be completed during the first year of the project, on 10 OC survivors, which will examine the feasibility of the proposed rehabilitative programme in early OC survivorship. Results from the feasibility study will inform aspects of programme design for the principal study.
The results from this project will provide novel information about rehabilitative issues that occur throughout treatment for OC and on the feasibility and efficacy of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme designed to target health-related rehabilitative needs in early survivorship.
