A University of Rochester study suggests home exercise and low-dose ibuprofen may help some chemotherapy patients manage cancer-related brain fog.
A home exercise program and low-dose ibuprofen may help ease cancer-related “brain fog” for some patients receiving chemotherapy, according to a small University of Rochester study published in the journal Cancer.
The phase 2 trial tested two relatively simple interventions for chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, often called “chemo brain,” a condition that can affect memory, concentration and multitasking. The findings are preliminary, and researchers said larger studies are needed before the approach can be confirmed as an effective treatment.
The trial included 86 adult cancer patients in New York who were undergoing chemotherapy and reporting cognitive problems. Participants had an average age of 53, and nearly 89% were women, according to information cited from the university.
Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a home exercise program, home exercise plus ibuprofen, ibuprofen alone or placebo alone. The ibuprofen dose was 200 milligrams twice daily. The exercise plan involved low- to moderate-intensity activity, including progressive walking and resistance-band training designed for cancer patients.
After six weeks, exercise was tied to the clearest improvements in attention and cognitive function, including reports from family and friends. Participants who exercised and took placebo showed better attention than those who received placebo only. Patients who took ibuprofen alone also showed greater cognitive improvement than the placebo group, though the reported benefits appeared smaller and less consistent than the exercise-related effects.
“We are encouraged by the findings of this trial that suggest possible benefits of both interventions for some cognitive domains,” lead author Michelle C. Janelsins, of the University of Rochester and the Wilmot Cancer Institute, said in a university release cited in the report. “Clearly, we saw a more pronounced effect with exercise, which is notable considering the multiple health benefits of exercise for cancer survivors.”
No adverse side effects were reported during the trial. Still, investigators cautioned that patients should consult their oncology team before starting ibuprofen or exercise during chemotherapy because some treatments or medical conditions can raise the risk of side effects or complications.
The study had several limitations, including its small size, short duration and participant makeup. Researchers also noted that the effects were not consistent across every cognitive measure, and the largely female study group may limit how broadly the results apply.
The next step is larger phase 3 testing to determine whether exercise and ibuprofen can reliably improve chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, and whether different doses or longer trial periods would change the results.
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