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Dr. Jessica Brown and Dr. Daniel Shackelford
A manuscript by Carroll professors Jessica M. Brown, Ph.D., and Daniel Shackelford, Ph.D., has been recognized as Paper of the Year by the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). “Evaluation of an Exercise-Based Phase Program as Part of a Standard Care Model for Cancer Survivors,” was published in 2019.
“Authorship of a published paper in any of ACSM’s five highly acclaimed journals takes considerable time, effort and determination to accomplish,” ACSM said. “The final product is viewed by scientists, clinicians, practicing professionals, students and the public around the world.”
Brown, an assistant professor of
exercise science and lead author on the paper, said: “To be recognized by such a prestigious and meaningful organization as ACSM is truly an honor. This research helps illustrate that exercise-based cancer rehabilitation is an imperative part of the treatment process for cancer survivors. We strive to do this here through our
Carroll University Rehabilitative Exercise (CURE) program, led by our
master’s of exercise physiology students, where patients with cancer and chronic diseases can participate in a supervised, prescriptive exercise intervention to avoid side effects and improve their quality of life.”
Brown hopes to see the rehab model implemented nationwide so all cancer patients might benefit from it.
According to the paper, many facilities and clinicians do not offer exercise-based cancer rehabilitation programs due to the uncertainty and ambiguity regarding the intensity, frequency, duration and mode of exercise. It also says prescriptions of exercise for cancer survivors need to address all aspects of the individual and account for cancer type, stage and treatment plans.
“This manuscript is an important contribution to the field of exercise physiology,” said Shackelford, assistant professor of exercise science. “Developing an exercise intervention for an individual diagnosed with cancer is one of the most complicated skills an exercise physiologist can perform. Current guidelines often lack precision, and the exercise prescription is broad and may not take treatment status into consideration. Our model provides needed clarity to work with this population. Our model is feasible, reproducible, and most importantly, significantly improves physical function and reduces fatigue.”