Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)

IntroductionDespite targeted exercise interventions alleviating functional deficits in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, many patients are insufficiently physically active. A promising approach to reducing barriers could be individually adaptable home training. The “OSHO #94” study examined the s...

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Main Authors: Sabine Felser, Lars A. Bonke, Änne Glass, Daniel Strüder, Jana Stolle, Susann Schulze, Markus Blaurock, Anke Steinmetz, Julia Daunheimer, Ursula Kriesen, Christina Grosse-Thie, Christian Junghanss
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1602532/full
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author Sabine Felser
Lars A. Bonke
Änne Glass
Daniel Strüder
Jana Stolle
Susann Schulze
Susann Schulze
Markus Blaurock
Anke Steinmetz
Julia Daunheimer
Ursula Kriesen
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christian Junghanss
author_facet Sabine Felser
Lars A. Bonke
Änne Glass
Daniel Strüder
Jana Stolle
Susann Schulze
Susann Schulze
Markus Blaurock
Anke Steinmetz
Julia Daunheimer
Ursula Kriesen
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christian Junghanss
author_sort Sabine Felser
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDespite targeted exercise interventions alleviating functional deficits in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, many patients are insufficiently physically active. A promising approach to reducing barriers could be individually adaptable home training. The “OSHO #94” study examined the short-term effectiveness, the medium-term sustainability, and the safety of an individualized home exercise programMethodsThis multicenter, single-arm, interventional study included patients in aftercare or in stable remission. Participants were advised to perform an individualized home exercise program (mobilization, coordination, strengthening, and stretching) at least three times a week and moderate-intensity endurance training two to three times a week. During the 12-week intervention, they kept a training diary and received weekly physiotherapist calls. In the subsequent 12-week follow-up (FU), participants were asked to continue training. The evaluation of short-term effects (between pre- and post-intervention) and medium-term effects (incl. FU), included the assessment of quality of life (QoL), physical activity level (Leisure Score Index (LSI); weekly amount), body composition, shoulder/cervical spine range of motion, fall risk, and aerobic performance. Adverse events were recorded.ResultsFifty-three patients (57% male) were enrolled, 83% completed the post assessment, and 72% completed FU. During the intervention, participants exercised for 257 min/week (with 95 minutes individual and 162 minutes endurance). The pre-post intervention effect on the global QoL was small (rw=0.20, p=0.186). Moderate effects were found in emotional (rw=0.38, p=0.011) and social functioning (rw=0.46, p=0.002), fatigue (rw=0.37, p=0.013), and dyspnea (rw=0.32, p=0.035). LSI increased significantly (25 vs. 39, p=0.003), whereas total physical activity duration remained unchanged (280 vs. 290 min/week, p=0.160). Small effects were observed on body composition. The largest effects were seen in physical functioning, particularly aerobic performance (rw=0.67, p<0.001). Nine participants (17%) reported training-related adverse events, primarily pain. Half of participants (48%) continued with individual training during FU. Some short-term effects could be detected medium-term.DiscussionPhysical activity level improved despite an unchanged activity duration suggesting an increased training intensity. With individualized home exercises and remote support, home training was effective and safe. After support ended, patients maintained their activity level and the effects were sustained, suggesting suitability for routine care.
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spelling doaj-art-254215b71e0843dfa9e61ed06d93bf472025-08-20T02:31:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.16025321602532Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)Sabine Felser0Lars A. Bonke1Änne Glass2Daniel Strüder3Jana Stolle4Susann Schulze5Susann Schulze6Markus Blaurock7Anke Steinmetz8Julia Daunheimer9Ursula Kriesen10Christina Grosse-Thie11Christina Grosse-Thie12Christian Junghanss13Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyInstitut for Biostatistic and Informatics in Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Koerner”, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyKrukenberg Cancer Center Halle, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), GermanyKrukenberg Cancer Center Halle, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic II, Carl-von-Basedow Klinikum, Merseburg, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, GermanyDepartment of Orthopedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyHematology and Oncology Practice, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Clinic III – Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyIntroductionDespite targeted exercise interventions alleviating functional deficits in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, many patients are insufficiently physically active. A promising approach to reducing barriers could be individually adaptable home training. The “OSHO #94” study examined the short-term effectiveness, the medium-term sustainability, and the safety of an individualized home exercise programMethodsThis multicenter, single-arm, interventional study included patients in aftercare or in stable remission. Participants were advised to perform an individualized home exercise program (mobilization, coordination, strengthening, and stretching) at least three times a week and moderate-intensity endurance training two to three times a week. During the 12-week intervention, they kept a training diary and received weekly physiotherapist calls. In the subsequent 12-week follow-up (FU), participants were asked to continue training. The evaluation of short-term effects (between pre- and post-intervention) and medium-term effects (incl. FU), included the assessment of quality of life (QoL), physical activity level (Leisure Score Index (LSI); weekly amount), body composition, shoulder/cervical spine range of motion, fall risk, and aerobic performance. Adverse events were recorded.ResultsFifty-three patients (57% male) were enrolled, 83% completed the post assessment, and 72% completed FU. During the intervention, participants exercised for 257 min/week (with 95 minutes individual and 162 minutes endurance). The pre-post intervention effect on the global QoL was small (rw=0.20, p=0.186). Moderate effects were found in emotional (rw=0.38, p=0.011) and social functioning (rw=0.46, p=0.002), fatigue (rw=0.37, p=0.013), and dyspnea (rw=0.32, p=0.035). LSI increased significantly (25 vs. 39, p=0.003), whereas total physical activity duration remained unchanged (280 vs. 290 min/week, p=0.160). Small effects were observed on body composition. The largest effects were seen in physical functioning, particularly aerobic performance (rw=0.67, p<0.001). Nine participants (17%) reported training-related adverse events, primarily pain. Half of participants (48%) continued with individual training during FU. Some short-term effects could be detected medium-term.DiscussionPhysical activity level improved despite an unchanged activity duration suggesting an increased training intensity. With individualized home exercises and remote support, home training was effective and safe. After support ended, patients maintained their activity level and the effects were sustained, suggesting suitability for routine care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1602532/fullEORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3)EORTC QLQ-HN35head and neck cancerHealth-related quality of life (QOL)home-based exercisephysical functionality
spellingShingle Sabine Felser
Lars A. Bonke
Änne Glass
Daniel Strüder
Jana Stolle
Susann Schulze
Susann Schulze
Markus Blaurock
Anke Steinmetz
Julia Daunheimer
Ursula Kriesen
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christina Grosse-Thie
Christian Junghanss
Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
Frontiers in Oncology
EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3)
EORTC QLQ-HN35
head and neck cancer
Health-related quality of life (QOL)
home-based exercise
physical functionality
title Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
title_full Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
title_fullStr Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
title_full_unstemmed Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
title_short Individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short- and medium-term effects –results of a multicenter, single-arm intervention trial (OSHO #94)
title_sort individualized home training in head and neck cancer patients is safe and has positive short and medium term effects results of a multicenter single arm intervention trial osho 94
topic EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3)
EORTC QLQ-HN35
head and neck cancer
Health-related quality of life (QOL)
home-based exercise
physical functionality
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1602532/full
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