Exercise oncology

ACE Trial

The Advanced cancer & Cachexia Exercise Trial

Published September 5, 2018

About the ACE Trial

Cachexia is a syndrome characterised by involuntary body weight or muscle mass loss. Cachexia is a known risk for individuals with cancer and up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer may develop cachexia. Cachexia imposes a significant burden on patients as body weight or muscle mass loss is associated with reduced physical function, worse cancer treatment side effects and cancer symptoms, poorer patient quality of life and shorter survival. Currently, there is no single pharmaceutical or nutritional intervention that can fully prevent or reverse cancer cachexia.

Emerging research suggests exercise may slow the progression of cachexia as well as manage its adverse effects, including patient reported symptoms. There is also a plethora of evidence showing exercise is an effective strategy to maintain physical fitness, including muscle mass and strength, and improve patient health-related quality of life in adults with a diagnosis of cancer. This study will therefore aim to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of exercise as a management strategy to counteract the burden of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer.

Who is this trial for?

• Adults ≥18 years
• A confirmed diagnosis of advanced or incurable disease
• Patients with & without involuntary weight loss within the past 6 months

What does participation involve?

• Completion of three 60-90 minute assessments to comprehensively evaluate physical fitness and function
• A 3-month best practice exercise intervention supervised by accredited exercise physiologists who specialise in exercise for cancer
• Individualised exercise prescriptions & protein supplementation
• Small group exercise sessions delivered at one of four fitness centres around Melbourne
• All screening and training is provided free of charge to participants

Where are the exercise clinics?

• Genesis Health and Fitness, Melbourne CBD
• Coburg Leisure Centre, Coburg
• Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Hawthorn
• Monash University, Caulfield
  

How do I get involved?

• To find out more, please contact Kelcey Bland at kelcey.bland@acu.edu.au or
• Contact our team at 03 92308268 or exerciseoncology@acu.edu.au

Register your interest to participate in this trial