What is a chemo brain and can excercise help reverse it?
A new study suggests that exercise and low-dose ibuprofen may help reduce chemo-related brain fog in cancer patients
A recent US study published in the journal *Cancer* investigated potential ways to alleviate cancer-related cognitive impairment, commonly known as chemo brain or brain fog, a condition affecting up to 80% of patients undergoing cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy. The research involved 86 chemotherapy patients experiencing cognitive issues, who were divided into four groups to test the effectiveness of exercise, low-dose ibuprofen (200mg twice daily), or a combination of both, compared to a placebo. After six weeks, the study found that participants who engaged in exercise showed significantly improved attention, an effect also observed, though less pronounced, in the ibuprofen-only group. Notably, the benefits of exercise, whether alone or with ibuprofen, were even recognized by the participants' families and friends, reinforcing exercise as a promising intervention with broad health advantages for cancer survivors, alongside potential benefits from ibuprofen for specific cognitive functions.
A recent US study published in the journal *Cancer* investigated potential ways to alleviate cancer-related cognitive impairment, commonly known as chemo brain or brain fog, a condition affecting up to 80% of patients undergoing cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy. The research involved 86 chemotherapy patients experiencing cognitive issues, who were divided into four groups to test the effectiveness of exercise, low-dose ibuprofen (200mg twice daily), or a combination of both, compared to a placebo. After six weeks, the study found that participants who engaged in exercise showed significantly improved attention, an effect also observed, though less pronounced, in the ibuprofen-only group. Notably, the benefits of exercise, whether alone or with ibuprofen, were even recognized by the participants' families and friends, reinforcing exercise as a promising intervention with broad health advantages for cancer survivors, alongside potential benefits from ibuprofen for specific cognitive functions.
A recent US study published in the journal *Cancer* investigated potential ways to alleviate cancer-related cognitive impairment, commonly known as chemo brain or brain fog, a condition affecting up to 80% of patients undergoing cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy. The research involved 86 chemotherapy patients experiencing cognitive issues, who were divided into four groups to test the effectiveness of exercise, low-dose ibuprofen (200mg twice daily), or a combination of both, compared to a placebo. After six weeks, the study found that participants who engaged in exercise showed significantly improved attention, an effect also observed, though less pronounced, in the ibuprofen-only group. Notably, the benefits of exercise, whether alone or with ibuprofen, were even recognized by the participants' families and friends, reinforcing exercise as a promising intervention with broad health advantages for cancer survivors, alongside potential benefits from ibuprofen for specific cognitive functions.
Chemo brain (brain fog), clinically known as cancer-related cognitive impairment, refers to thinking and memory problems that can occur during or after cancer treatment—especially chemotherapy. Up to 80 per cent of patients experience some degree of brain fog.
A US study published in the journal Cancer suggests that exercise and low-dose ibuprofen may help reduce chemo-related brain fog in cancer patients.
Previous studies have shown that exercise is safe and can ease cancer-related side effects, including fatigue, emotional distress, nerve pain and physical decline.
In this study, 86 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who reported cognitive problems were randomly assigned to one of four groups: exercise plus 200mg of ibuprofen twice daily, exercise with a placebo, ibuprofen only, or a placebo alone.
After six weeks, participants in the exercise group showed significantly better attention compared to those taking a placebo. The ibuprofen-only group also showed greater improvement than the placebo group.
Notably, improvements in the exercise-only and exercise-plus-ibuprofen groups were noticeable to family members and friends.
“We are encouraged by the findings of this trial that suggest possible benefits of both interventions for some cognitive domains. Clearly, we saw a more pronounced effect with exercise, which is notable considering the multiple health benefits of exercise for cancer survivors,” the lead researcher said.