Research

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Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024, 11:55 AM

Research

Acronyms

  • ADL = Activities of Daily Living
  • QOL = Quality of Life

Research through the Strong Survivors program involves a number of different aspects, collecting data from both cancer survivors and caregivers. Data is primarily analyzed at the SIUC Cancer Rehabilitation Laboratory (SIUC-CRL) in Davies Hall on the SIU campus which is an excellent research facility with state of the art equipment.

Research Projects include:

  • Impact of cancer treatment on ADL performance, fatigue, quality of life, social support, and exercise attitude in cancer survivors and caregivers.
  • Impact of exercise and nutrition on ADL performance, fatigue, quality of life, social support, and exercise attitude in cancer survivors and caregivers
  • Impact of resistance training and dietary counseling on lean mass, body weight, muscle strength, QOL, and exercise adherence in head and neck cancer survivors  (RETAIN study)

Benefits

  • Reduce Fatigue

    Research has found no harmful effects on patients with cancer from moderate exercise and, in fact, has demonstrated that those who exercised regularly had 40% to 50% less fatigue, the primary complaint during treatment.

  • Increase Muscle Strength

    Engaging in regular exercise increases muscle strength, joint flexibility and general conditioning, all of which may be impaired by surgery and some therapies. Exercise is known to improve cardiovascular function and to protect bones. It also elevates mood, offering drug-free relief for the feelings of depression that may accompany a cancer diagnosis.

  • Control Body Weight

    Exercise helps control weight -- a crucial factor, as studies have shown that gaining weight during and after treatment raises the risk of a cancer recurrence, particularly for breast, colon and prostate cancers.