LAUSR

Simple Summary Approximately half of all patients with advanced cancer experience cachexia, and the prevalence rises above 80% in the last weeks of life. Cancer cachexia (CC) is characterised by anorexia, systemic inflammation, ongoing loss of muscle mass, and weight loss, affecting the quality of life. Different treatments are proposed to manage CC, and comprehensive treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach aimed at evaluating overall patients’ conditions and relieving the symptoms, including psycho-social and spiritual functions. Key elements in CC management are personalized, multi-targeted, and multimodal interventions, but it is hard for some patients to follow programs based on several components. We examined the feasibility of a bimodal intervention, including a psycho-educational component and exercises, to support patients and their caregivers in managing CC. Our prospective mixed-methods pilot study explored feasibility data, changes in PROMS and performance outcomes over time, and qualitative data from dyads and healthcare professionals’ interviews. Abstract Background: Key elements in cancer cachexia (CC) management are personalized and multimodal interventions, but it is hard for some patients to follow programs based on several components. We examined the feasibility of a bimodal intervention, including a psycho-educational component and exercises, to support patients and their caregivers in managing CC; Methods: Prospective mixed-methods pilot study explored feasibility data, changes in patient-reported outcomes, and performance outcomes over time in a convenient sample of 30 consecutive CC patients and their caregivers. Results: Twenty-four dyads consented to participate. Twenty dyads received at least two psycho-educational sessions, so the psycho-educational component was feasible for 83.3% of the sample. Six dyads participated in at least fourteen out of twenty-seven rehabilitation sessions, so the exercise program was feasible for 25.0% of the sample. Six dyads showed compliance greater than 50% for both components of the bimodal intervention. Conclusions: While we did not meet our primary feasibility endpoint and had mixed acceptability, our experience provides insight into the challenges and lessons learned in implementing a primary palliative care intervention for CC. More robust studies are needed to help clinicians understand the best exercise program for CC patients, to be included in a multimodal intervention.