The effect of intra-infusion exercise on chemotherapy side effects

Interventions: The exercise intervention will be delivered for 3 sessions in a one-on-one setting with an accredited exercise physiologist when patients have their scheduled chemotherapy infusion. The duration of the study will depend on the frequency of chemotherapy infusions which is variable between individuals.
Exercise will involve the participant cycling on a stationary foot bike whilst seated in their usual chemotherapy chair for 20 minutes continuously at a moderate intensity (40-50% heart rate reserve and a rate of perceived exertion 12-14). Pre-task will commence after 10 minutes of chemotherapy infusion to confirm the absence of adverse reactions to the infusion. Physiological measures will be recorded during pre-task (10 minutes), task (exercise, 20 minutes) and recovery (20 minutes). These measures include heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Rating of perceived exertion using the Borg RPE scale will also be measured during the task. Adherence will be monitored by session attendance checklists.
During the recovery period, the exercise group will be provided with exercise education by an accredited exercise physiologist. The initial exercise education session will involve the accredited exercise physiologist discussing goal setting, barriers to exercise, current exercise knowledge and exercise history. The accredited exercise physiologist will use an education booklet in subsequent sessions to address strategies to overcome exercise barriers. The Exercise for People Living with Cancer; A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends” booklet by the Cancer Council will be used as a supplementary booklet for participants who would like more information about resistance exercise.
Primary outcome(s): Fatigue using the FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire[FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire will be used at the beginning and the end of the study (1 week after intervention session 3). ];Daily symptom diary which includes 2 questionnaires: the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and the Brief Fatigue Inventory. [The daily symptom diary will be used for 7 days after each intervention session starting on the day after chemotherapy infusion. . ]
Study Design: Purpose: Treatment; Allocation: Randomised controlled trial; Masking: Open (masking not used);Assignment: Parallel;Type of endpoint: Efficacy