The OSUCCC – James has a number of studies under way to help patients adjust to life during and after cancer treatment. Here are a few examples:
Practicing yoga for as little as three months can reduce fatigue and lower inflammation in breast cancer survivors, according to a study of 200 women led by OSUCCC – James researchers. The more the women in the study practiced yoga, the better their results. At the study’s six-month point, fatigue was 57 percent lower on average in women who had practiced yoga compared to the non-yoga group; inflammation was reduced by up to 20 percent.
OSUCCC – James researchers have developed a psychological treatment for patients coping with the stresses of cancer and depression. The therapy significantly improved patients' depressive symptoms and mental health, and reduced fatigue. The therapy combines a psychological intervention to reduce stress and enhance coping, and cognitive behavior therapy to treat depression. Groups of psychologists, social workers and mental-health clinical nurse specialists from across the nation and around the world have been trained at Ohio State to administer the treatment.
OSUCCC – James researchers are working to develop an exercise and dietary intervention program for men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for advanced, metastatic prostate cancer. The therapy often produces long and lingering effects on physical function and health status. The goal of the study is to develop innovative and effective lifestyle, exercise and dietary interventions that will prevent and reverse these functional declines and improve the quality of life for men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT.