ACUMEN – Enhancing treatment outcomes after gynaecological cancer

ACUMEN – Enhancing treatment outcomes after gynaecological cancer

ACUMEN Study – Enhancing treatment outcomes after gynaecological cancer – investigated the effect of exercise on health-related quality of life after cancer therapy.

The research project looked at targeted exercise, prescribed by an exercise physiologist, for women previously treated for reproductive cancers.

Women recovering from gynaecological cancer often face health challenges that reduce quality of life and limit engagement in physical activity. The ACUMEN trial tests whether a structured 12-week exercise program can improve health-related quality of life and support sustainable exercise habits. In this single-blind, multi-centre RCT, 342 women who have completed treatment within the past 60 months are randomised to usual care or a personalised exercise intervention. The program shifts from supervised to self-managed sessions over 12 weeks. Assessments occur at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24. Primary outcomes focus on quality of life (SF-36), with secondary measures including physical fitness, activity levels, blood markers, and exercise self-efficacy. The trial also examined feasibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness to inform future implementation.

This study was led by principal investigator, Professor Sandie McCarthy (pictured), from the UQ School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work and Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland. Funded by Medical Research Futures Fund.

This study closed 31 May 2025.

Papers

  1. Chiu, Vivian, Boytar, Alexander, Cunningham, Brent, Skinner, Tina, Turner, Jane, Anderson, Debra, Khan Asaduzzaman, Bailey, Tom, Porter-Steele, Janine, Young, Leonie, Tuffaha, Haitham, Perrin, Lewis, Garrett, Andrea, Goh, Jeffrey, Rose, Grace L., Clifford, Briana, Gomersall, Sjaan, Korbie, Darren, Constantin, Nicolas, Li, Jackie, McCarthy, Alexandra L. (2025) Enhancing Treatment Outcomes After Gynaecological Cancer (Acumen): A Randomised Controlled Exercise Trial Protocol

A PhD student has completed her thesis and graduated, with four of her studies associated with the ACUMEN project. These papers have been published:

  1. Wang, Yufan, McCarthy, Alexandra L., Hayes, Sandra C., Gordon, Louisa G., Chiu, Vivian, Bailey, Tom G., Stewart, Elizabeth, and Tuffaha, Haitham (2023). Economic evaluation of exercise interventions for individuals with cancer: a systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 172, 107491, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107491
  2. Wang, Yufan, McCarthy, Alexandra L., and Tuffaha, Haitham (2023). Cost-utility analysis of a supervised exercise intervention for women with early-stage endometrial cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(7), 391-391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-07819-y
  3. Wang, Yufan (2024). Assessing the value for money of integrating exercise as therapy after gynaecological cancer treatment. PhD Thesis, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/23460ca
  4. Wang, Yufan. Is there sufficient evidence to implement prescribed exercise as standard cancer after-care? Insights to inform resource allocation using the value of information and implementation framework. Presented at COSA’s 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 13–15 November 2024. Published by Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom.

This study was approved by Uniting Care Health (UC HREC 2024) and Metro North Hospital and Health Service (HREC/2020/QRBW/67832)

 

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