Cancer Patients … Exercise!

It's known that exercise can reduce cancer-related fatigue, improve sleep, boost a sense of wellness and reduce the recurrence of certain types of tumors. Now, a Mayo Clinic study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management has found that a brief, at-home exercise program — dubbed the Rapid, Easy, Strength Training program, or REST, — was sufficient to increase cancer patients’ mobility and reduce fatigue.

Lead author Andrea Cheville, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation says, "We talk a lot about how important it is for cancer patients to exercise, but until now, nobody has questioned whether less may be more for patients negotiating the demands of cancer treatment. This is the first trial to investigate what’s feasible and helpful for patients with limited time and energy." 

Click here for news release

Sound bites with Dr. Cheville are available in the downloads above

Expert title for broadcast cg: Dr. Andrea Cheville, Mayo Clinic PM&R