An interventional study of Exercise and guided imagery in Rectal Cancer, Fecal Incontinence and Constipation and Aerobic Exercise, sponsored by Biruni University. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-29.
Sponsored by Biruni University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) is a common complication after sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery and may negatively affect bowel function and quality of life. Although exercise has been shown to improve physical function and well-being in cancer survivors, evidence regarding its effects on LARS symptoms remains limited.
This randomized controlled, multicenter study aims to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise program combined with guided imagery on bowel symptoms, quality of life, physical activity level, functional capacity, and psychological well-being in patients with LARS after rectal cancer surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving aerobic exercise and guided imagery in addition to standard care or a control group receiving standard care alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period using validated clinical and patient-reported outcome measures.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for improving bowel function and quality of life in patients with LARS following rectal cancer surgery.
2,400 studies on the registry are indexed under Rectal Neoplasms; 587 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 50 is below the median of 65 across 1,751 interventional studies indexed under Rectal Neoplasms.
Browse Rectal Neoplasms studies →Biruni University is the lead sponsor of 180 studies on the registry; 45 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive an aerobic exercise program combined with guided imagery in addition to standard postoperative care. The intervention will be delivered according to the study protocol throughout the intervention period.
Other: Exercise · Behavioral: guided imagery
Participants will receive standard postoperative care without the structured aerobic exercise or guided imagery during the study period.
structured walking exercise, at the clinic and outside from the clinic for at least 3 days /week
Also known as: aerobic exercise
guided imagery for at least 3 days
Low Anterior Resection Sydrome scoring system
It measures the intensity of low anterior resection syndrome. The score varies between "0" and "42". Higher scores indicates more severe symptoms.
Time frame: "From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks"
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire-30
It measures the quality of life in cancer patients. The scores range from 0 to 100. For the Global Health Status and Functional Scales, higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life and functioning, whereas for the Symptom Scales, higher scores indicate greater symptom burden.
Time frame: 8 weeks from beginning the study
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire-29
It measures the quality of life in cancer patients. The EORTC QLQ-CR29 scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores on the functional scales indicate better functioning, whereas higher scores on the symptom scales indicate greater symptom burden.
Time frame: 8 weeks
6 minutes walking test
It measures the aerobic capacity within 6 minutes. The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) assesses functional exercise capacity by measuring the total distance walked in meters over six minutes. There is no maximum value. Higher distances indicate better functional exercise capacity.
Time frame: 8 weeks
colorectoanal distress inventory
It measures the intensity of anorectal symptoms. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater colorectal and anal symptom distress.
Time frame: 8 weeks
wexner questionnaire
It measures the intensity of fecal incontinence. The score ranges from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater severity of fecal incontinence.
Time frame: 8 weeks
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form
It measures the level of physical activity level. The questionnaire assesses physical activity levels in MET-minutes/week.Higher MET-minutes/week indicate greater physical activity.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
It measures the level of depression and anxiety. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) consists of two subscales (anxiety and depression), each ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Time frame: 8 weeks
pelvic floor muscle function via biofeedback
It measures the strength of pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscle activity by using surface electromyography (sEMG) are reported in microvolts (µV). Therefore, there is no any min-max value. Higher EMG amplitudes indicate greater pelvic floor muscle activation.
Time frame: 8 weeks
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Undecided
Started Dec 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 12 months after the start.
Of 329 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Rectal Neoplasms, half reached primary completion within 51 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 23 and three quarters within 78. This study's planned 12 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 336 studies reached it within 51 months; a quarter within 23 and three quarters within 78.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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