Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nGait is a sensitive marker for functional declines commonly seen in patients treated for advanced cancer. We tested the effect of a combined exercise and nutrition programme on gait parameters of advanced-stage cancer patients using a novel wearable gait analysis system.\n\n\nMETHODS\nEighty patients were allocated to a control group with nutritional support or to an intervention group additionally receiving whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training (2×/week). At baseline and after 12\xa0weeks, physical function was assessed by a biosensor-based gait analysis during a six-minute walk test, a 30-s sit-to-stand test, a hand grip strength test, the Karnofsky Index and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and inflammation by blood analysis.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFinal analysis included 41 patients (56.1% male; 60.0\xa0±\xa013.0\xa0years). After 12\xa0weeks, the WB-EMS group showed higher stride length, gait velocity (p\xa0<\xa0.05), six-minute walking distance (p\xa0<\xa0.01), bodyweight and skeletal muscle mass, and emotional functioning (p\xa0<\xa0.05) compared with controls. Correlations between changes in gait and in body composition, physical function and inflammation were detected.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nWhole-body electromyostimulation combined with nutrition may help to improve gait and functional status of cancer patients. Sensor-based mobile gait analysis objectively reflects patients physical status and could support treatment decisions.