Study Finds Home Exercises and Ibuprofen May Help Cancer Patients’ Cognitive Issues
A recent study from the University of Rochester indicates that a common over-the-counter medication, when paired with a home exercise program, could potentially assist cancer patients in dealing with cognitive challenges caused by chemotherapy.
This cognitive impairment, often called “chemo brain,” affects many patients—up to 80% of those undergoing chemotherapy report difficulties with memory and concentration. The research involved 86 adult cancer patients from New York, primarily women, averaging 53 years in age, who were experiencing these cognitive issues as they underwent treatment.
The participants were divided into four groups. One group engaged in home exercises designed for cancer patients, while another group combined these exercises with a low dose of ibuprofen (200 mg twice a day). A third group took ibuprofen alone, and the fourth group received a placebo.
The physical activity included gentle exercises such as walking and using resistance bands. Michelle C. Janelsins, the lead researcher, stated that this study is one of the first to evaluate the effects of these interventions specifically for cognitive impairments related to chemotherapy.
After six weeks, the exercise groups showed noticeable improvements in attention and cognitive function, as reported by family and friends. The group that combined exercise with placebo fared better than those who took just the placebo alone, while those taking ibuprofen also experienced some cognitive benefits.
This suggests that managing inflammation may play a role in cognitive issues during cancer treatment, and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen could prove helpful. However, exercise presented clearer benefits compared to ibuprofen.
Notably, no side effects were reported during this trial. While the findings are promising, researchers acknowledged limitations in the study, including the small number of participants and the short duration of the trial. They also pointed out that most of the participants were women, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Plans are underway for larger studies to further investigate the effectiveness of ibuprofen and exercise for improving cognitive issues in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Janelsins highlighted the importance of patients discussing any new treatments with their healthcare providers before starting, as there can be risks tied to specific treatments or health conditions.
The study’s findings were published in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal from the American Cancer Society.
