Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Feasibility testing of telehealth-delivered exercise therapy for ostomates treated for cancer (FOXTROT) (146297)

Danielle J Pegg 1 2 , Janine Porter-Steele 1 2 3 , Vivian Chiu 1 2 , Sarah M Balaam 1 2 , Brent Cunningham 1 4 , Mackenzie Petie 1 2 , Sandi Hayes 5 , Gill Hubbard 6 , Andreas Obermair 4 , David Cavallucci 7 , Leonie Young 3 , Alexander Boytar 1 , Sjaan Gomersall 4 , Kylie McGrory 8 , Alexandra L McCarthy 1 2
  1. Griffith University, Gold Coast
  2. Flinders University, Adelaide
  3. The Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre, Brisbane
  4. The University of Queensland, Brisbane
  5. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
  6. The University of Highlands, United Kingdom
  7. The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane
  8. QLD Stoma Association, Brisbane

Background:  Exercise oncology is increasingly accepted as an adjunct to cancer treatment that enhances quality of life. Common issues following stoma formation for bowel or gynaecological cancer can include body image disturbance, fear of herniation and stigma. These issues also present as barriers to exercise, as well as considerations for exercise prescription. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a consumer co-developed exercise intervention specifically designed to improve the quality of life and health of people living with stoma following a cancer diagnosis.

Eligibility: Adults ≥ 18 years living in Australia with a permanent or long-term stoma following cancer treatment within the previous five years. Required to be ≥6 weeks post-surgery, with cancer treatment either completed or ongoing.

Methods:  This study is a single-arm trial (N=20), including a 12-week intervention period and a 12-week follow up period (24 weeks total). The intervention comprises one 60-minute telehealth consultation with a stoma-trained Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) per week, including exercise prescription, home programming and education. In the following 12-weeks, participants are encouraged to complete self-managed exercise, accumulating dosage of minumum 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, using the prescription and education developed in consultations with the AEP. The primary outcomes are the safety, feasibility and acceptability of exercise with people with a stoma. Assessments on secondary efficacy outcomes (including health-related quality of life, physical activity self-efficacy and physical activity enjoyment) occur at baseline, 12-weeks and 24-weeks. Recruitment and baseline measures are complete. The study will conclude in mid-September 2026.

Discussion: Findings will improve understanding of the extent to which exercise intervention is safe, feasible and acceptable in this understudied cancer population and will also inform the MRFF-funded FOXTROT X Study (Moving without Fear When Living with a Stoma: A Consumer-Led Physical Activity Study) due to commence in late 2026.