Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is recruiting cancer survivors to participate in a study that will explore benefits to cognitive health that may result from exercise and brain stimulation. Cancer survivors who participate in the four-week, supervised study will earn $125 in Amazon gift cards. In addition, they will learn valuable information about the status of their current health, functional performance and body composition.
Funded by the Florida Department of Health and headed by FSU Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion assistant professor Ashley Artese, Ph.D, the goal of the innovative study is to expand understanding about the wellness and recovery of breast cancer survivors.
The study will be conducted at the Functional Fitness Laboratory on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, and organizers hope to especially attract participants who reside in or nearby Boca Raton.
The study is open to breast cancer survivors, stages 0 – III, who have completed “primary breast cancer treatment”, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation for at least three months. These individuals cannot be currently participating in a “structured exercise program” and need to have “… noticed some changes in concentration, focus or memory as a result of cancer treatment….” Those interested in applying for the study are encouraged to contact Artese at [email protected].
Challenges related to memory focus and organizing and managing tasks are widely known to be side effects of cancer treatment. According to an article published by FAC’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, such “cancer related cognitive impairment” … “has also been cited as one of the most challenging cancer symptoms to manage.”
Artese’s study will be the first of its kind to implement in breast cancer survivors “multi-domain intervention” that combines aerobics with non-invasive brain stimulation. The study’s goal will be to improve focus, concentration and memory. Surveys will be conducted to measure participants’ well-being and quality of life. According to Artese, “Findings from this study will provide evidence for interventions designed to improve cognitive function in breast cancer survivors and help overcome the current limitations of treatment recommendations.” … “We hope to improve the overall health and cognitive function among breast cancer survivors.”
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