The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training on carcinoembryonic antigen, quality of life, and sleep quality in female colorectal cancer survivors

Moradi, Hosna; Behpour, Nasser; Payandeh, Mehrdad; Khazaei , Mansoor

Volume 82, Issue 10 (January 2025) Tehran Univ Med J 2025, 82(10): 801-807 | Back to browse issues page

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Moradi H, Behpour N, Payandeh M, Khazaei M. The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training on carcinoembryonic antigen, quality of life, and sleep quality in female colorectal cancer survivors. Tehran Univ Med J 2025; 82 (10) :801-807
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13380-en.html

The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training on carcinoembryonic antigen, quality of life, and sleep quality in female colorectal cancer survivors

Hosna Moradi ^*¹

, Nasser Behpour²

, Mehrdad Payandeh²

, Mansoor Khazaei²

1- Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical And Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. , hosnamoradi01@gmail.com
2- Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical And Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract: (1308 Views)

Background: With the rising survival rates among individuals with colorectal cancer, improving quality of life and reducing the risk of recurrence have become key priorities in supportive care. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), due to its pronounced effects on physical function, inflammatory markers, and tumor-related indicators, has emerged as a promising intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an eight-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, quality of life, and sleep quality in female survivors of colorectal cancer.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design and was conducted from July to September 2021 at the Kosar Women’s Sports Complex in Kermanshah, Iran. Twelve female colorectal cancer survivors (mean age=55.66±4.99 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=6) or control group (n=6). The experimental group participated in a supervised HIIT program for eight weeks. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and quality of life was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire.
Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed a non-significant increase in CEA levels in the experimental group (mean±SD: 2.49±0.79; CI95%: 1.66-3.33; P=0.456), while the control group showed a statistically significant reduction (mean±SD: 1.04±0.22; CI95%: 0.84-1.25; P=0.044). However, significant improvements were observed in both sleep quality (mean±SD: 5.00±2.19; CI95%: 3.27-6.72; P=0.027) and quality of life (mean±SD: 77±9.40; CI95%: 84.11-88; P=0.028) within the experimental group. No significant changes were reported in the control group for either variable.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that high-intensity interval training may serve as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing sleep quality and overall quality of life in female colorectal cancer survivors. Nevertheless, the effects of HIIT on biological markers such as CEA require further investigation through larger and longer-term studies.

Keywords: high-intensity interval training, sleep quality, quality of life, carcinoembryonic antigen.

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Type of Study: Original Article |