Options
Lennon, Olive
Preferred name
Lennon, Olive
Official Name
Lennon, Olive
Research Output
Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
- PublicationFunctional, physiological and subjective responses to concurrent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) exercise in adult cancer survivors: a controlled prospective study(Springer Nature, 2020-08-19)
; ; ; ; The primary aim of this study was to investigate the functional, physiological and subjective responses to NMES exercise in cancer patients. Participants with a cancer diagnosis, currently undergoing treatment, and an had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (ECOG) of 1 and 2 were recommended to participate by their oncologist. Following a 2-week, no-NMES control period, each participant was asked to undertake a concurrent NMES exercise intervention over a 4-week period. Functional muscle strength [30 s sit-to-stand (30STS)], mobility [timed up and go (TUG)], exercise capacity [6-min walk test (6MWT)] and health related quality of life (HR-QoL) were assessed at baseline 1 (BL1), 2-week post control (BL2) and post 4-week NMES exercise intervention (POST). Physiological and subjective responses to LF-NMES were assessed during a 10-stage incremental session, recorded at BL2 and POST. Fourteen participants [mean age: 62 years (10)] completed the intervention. No adverse events were reported. 30STS (+ 2.4 reps, p =.007), and 6MWT (+ 44.3 m, p =.028) significantly improved after the intervention. No changes in TUG or HR-QoL were observed at POST. Concurrent NMES exercise may be an effective exercise intervention for augmenting physical function in participants with cancer and moderate and poor functional status. Implications for cancer survivors: By allowing participants to achieve therapeutic levels of exercise, concurrent NMES may be an effective supportive intervention in cancer rehabilitation.221Scopus© Citations 1 - PublicationDesign considerations for the development of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) exercise in cancer rehabilitation(Taylor & Francis, 2020-03-02)
; ; ; Aim: The aim of this narrative review is to explore design considerations for effective neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise prescription in cancer rehabilitation, with simultaneous consideration for fundamental principles of exercise training and the current state of the art in neuromuscular electrical stimulation technologies and application methodologies. Method: Narrative review. Results: First, we consider the key neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise design considerations, with a focus on training objectives and individual training requirements and constraints for individuals with cancer. Here, we contend that concurrent, low and high frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise, individually prescribed and progressed may be optimal for enhancing physical function. Second, we review the appropriate literature to identify the most appropriate stimulation parameters (pulse frequency, intensity, duration and duty cycle) to deliver effective neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cancer rehabilitation. Conclusions: We propose an informed and innovative neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise intervention design and provide practical information for clinicians and practitioners who may work with and implement neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise in cancer.Implications for rehabilitation Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is an emerging technology in cancer rehabilitation to help provide an aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise stimulus. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may help improve aerobic exercise capacity, muscle strength and augment quality of life. Current prescription in cancer lacks adherence to the fundamental principles of exercise training, which may negatively affect adherence.327Scopus© Citations 6 - PublicationThe efficacy and prescription of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in adult cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysisPurpose: This study aims to (1) summarise and critically evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on indices of health and quality of life (QoL) in adult cancer survivors, (2) assess the safety of NMES as a rehabilitation method in this population, and (3) identify commonly used NMES treatment parameters and describe treatment progression. Methods: A systematic search of four electronic databases targeted studies evaluating the effects of NMES on physical function, aerobic fitness, muscle strength, body composition, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in adult cancer survivors, published through March 2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the risk of bias of each study. Results: Nine studies were included. Meta-analyses found that the overall pooled effect favoured NMES for improving muscle strength, but the standardised mean difference was not significant (0.36; 95% CI − 0.25, 0.96). Further meta-analyses indicated that NMES significantly improved HR-QoL (0.36; 95% CI 0.10, 0.62), with notable gains identified under the subcategories QoL Function (0.87; 95% CI 0.32, 1.42). Current NMES prescription is not standardised and NMES is prescribed to target secondary complications of treatment. Risk of bias was high for most studies. Conclusions: NMES use in adult cancer survivors is an emerging field and current literature is limited by studies of poor quality and a lack of adequately powered RCTs. Existing evidence suggests that NMES is safe and may be more effective than usual care for improving HR-QoL. Prescription and progression should be tailored for the individual based on functional deficits.
973Scopus© Citations 17 - PublicationNeuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in the Management of Glioblastoma MultiformeBackground and Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is associated with debilitating physical and psychosocial side effects. Voluntary exercise recommended as an adjunct therapy is often limited by physical and neurological impairments. The potential effect of aerobic and muscle-strengthening neuromuscular electrical stimulation (termed concurrent NMES) exercise (4 weeks, 2-5 times/week, 30 minutes to 1 hour) delivered to the lower limbs in patients with GBM has not been examined. This case study explores the effect of a short-term concurrent NMES intervention progressing to NMES and supervised voluntary exercise (aerobic and resistance training) over a 10-week period in a patient with GBM undergoing adjuvant treatment. Case Description: The case was a 61-year-old man with GBM who had completed radiotherapy treatment (40 Gy) and was undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group level was 3. Assessments were conducted at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 10 of the intervention. Outcomes included 30-second sit-to-stand (30STS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30, and Godin Leisure Time Questionnaire. Outcomes: The intervention was well tolerated, with more than 70% NMES exercise adherence over 10 weeks and progression to combined NMES and voluntary exercise at week 5. No adverse events were reported. Despite self-reported increases in fatigue levels, clinically meaningful improvements were observed at weeks 4 and 10 for 30STS, TUG, and physical quality of life (QoL). Self-report physical activity levels increased at week 10. Discussion: In this first clinical case report, a 10-week NMES/voluntary exercise intervention led to improvements in physical and QoL outcomes. This initial evidence suggests NMES exercise is safe and feasible and may act as a bridge to voluntary exercise. NMES demonstrated promise as an effective supportive intervention in the management of GBM. Future clinical trials are required to expand on these initial findings.
291 - PublicationSelf-directed home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with advanced cancer and poor performance status: a feasibility studyPurpose: Concurrent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) involving sub-tetanic low frequency and tetanic high frequency which targets aerobic and muscular fitness is a potential alternative to conventional exercise in cancer rehabilitation. However, its safety and feasibility in patients with advanced cancer are unknown. The aim of this feasibility study was to determine safety and feasibility and evaluate changes in functional and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) outcomes in individuals with advanced cancer and poor performance status after concurrent NMES. These results should help inform the design of future studies. Methods: Participants with advanced cancer and poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale ≥ 2) (n = 18) were recruited. The intervention included a novel NMES intervention implemented over a 4-week period. Functional exercise capacity, lower limb muscle endurance and HR-QoL were measured by 6-min walk test (6MWT), 30-s sit-to-stand (30STS) and European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life questionnaire core-30 (EORTC QLQ C30) pre and post-intervention. Participants unable to complete the 6-min walk test completed the timed up and go test. Participant experience and the impact of the intervention on daily life were investigated through semi-structured interviews. Results: Ten of 18 participants completed the intervention. No adverse events were reported. Seven of 8 participants improved 6MWT performance (2 of 2 improved timed up and go), 8 of 10 participants improved 30STS and 8 of 10 participants improved Global quality of life. Perceived benefits included improved mobility and muscle strength. Conclusions: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation appears safe and feasible in advanced cancer and may improve physical and HR-QoL outcomes. Future prospective trials are warranted to confirm these findings prior to clinical implementation in an advanced cancer setting.
232Scopus© Citations 7 - PublicationFit for life after cancer: Does exercise timing matter?Objectives: To assess the effects of a single exercise session per week for 6 weeks on quality of life (QoL), fatigue and exercise participation in male and female cancer survivors with follow-up at 6 months. A secondary aim was to identify if the timing of exercise delivery determined its effect. Methods: An exploratory prospective cohort study design was implemented. Twenty-five patients undergoing or who had completed cancer treatment (11 active treatment; 14 completed treatment) undertook exercise and educational sessions (Fit for Life) 1×/week. The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL C-30 (EORTC QLQ C-30) and the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) were used to assess fatigue, QoL and exercise levels, respectively. Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention, and after 6 months. Results: There was a significant group × time interaction for the GLTEQ at 6 months post in favour of exercising during active treatment (p=0.01). No other group × time interactions were observed across the EORTC QLQ C-30 or BFI. There was a significant main effect for time for EORTC QLQ C-30 Global with a significant increase observed between pre and 6 months post. Conclusions: Exercise 1×/week delivered during treatment may impact on long-term exercise participation in adult cancer survivors. This lower volume programme may improve QoL, but has minimal effect on fatigue suggesting an insufficient exercise dosage to impact this variable. This study generates interesting proof of concept results and may be helpful in the development of larger randomised controlled trials.
389Scopus© Citations 3