Trinity Exercise Oncology Research Group

The Trinity Exercise Oncology Research Group is a multidisciplinary group conducting research into the role of exercise in cancer care. The research programme, which has been in existence since 2009, brings together expertise in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, surgery, translational oncology and clinical nutrition and dietetics to conduct clinical trials and exploratory studies across a range of cancer types. Core team members from the Discipline of Physiotherapy bring together experience in clinical practice, research methodology and higher-level education to deliver a programme that values patients, promotes advanced practice and supports ongoing education as part of the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute. 

In 2018/2019, the Trinity Exercise Oncology Research Group was awarded approximately €1.3 million in funding by the Health Research Board (HRB), Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG), the Irish Cancer Society and the All-Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care to allow expansion of the cancer survivorship programme. This funding is being used to deliver key projects in cancer prehabilitation, post-treatment rehabilitation and palliative care which are described below. Implementation is supported through our established collaboration with the dedicated research facilitates provided at the Wellcome Trust-Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility.  

The core value of the research programme is to conduct patient-centred, interprofessional, clinically pragmatic research that has the potential to positively benefit patient care. We work with patient-representatives and their families, a multidisciplinary network of health-care professions and patient advocacy groups to inform the design, implementation, dissemination and future directions of our research programme. Patient and public representations are encouraged to get involved by contacting exerciseoncology@tcd.ie.  

Why Is Exercise Important in Cancer Care?

Over the past two decades research interest in exercise oncology has increased dramatically with a resultant recognition of the importance of exercise as a supportive intervention for patients with cancer. Considerable evidence establishes the efficacy of exercise to both mitigate treatment side-effects and to optimise quality-of-life, with emerging literature suggesting association with cancer survival.  With cancer survival rates improving across a range of cancers, it follows that the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, places cancer survivorship at the centre of the national cancer agenda. Exercise rehabilitation is a key part of survivorship care with the potential to optimise patient outcome at each step on the continuum of cancer care. The Trinity Exercise Oncology Research Group prioritises research in complex cancer presentations, particularly upper gastrointestinal cancers, which require specialist rehabilitation expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration.    

Patient Centered Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Model