Researchers studied 77 stomach cancer patients receiving chemotherapy to see if combining good nutrition with exercise could help them maintain muscle strength and handle treatment better. Half the patients followed a special nutrition plan and exercise program while getting their cancer treatment, while the other half received standard care only. The group that combined nutrition and exercise kept more of their muscle mass and had fewer serious side effects from chemotherapy. This suggests that taking care of your body through food and movement during cancer treatment might help you feel better and tolerate the medicine more easily.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether combining a special eating plan with exercise could help stomach cancer patients keep their muscle mass and handle chemotherapy side effects better
  • Who participated: 77 stomach cancer patients in China receiving chemotherapy drugs called SOX or XELOX. About half (39 people) followed a nutrition and exercise program, while the other half (38 people) received regular treatment only
  • Key finding: Patients who combined good nutrition with exercise kept or gained muscle in 64% of cases, compared to only 32% in the regular treatment group. They also had fewer serious blood cell problems from chemotherapy
  • What it means for you: If you’re getting chemotherapy for stomach cancer, adding a structured eating plan and exercise routine may help you maintain strength and experience fewer severe side effects. However, this is one study and you should discuss these approaches with your cancer care team before starting

The Research Details

This was a prospective non-randomized interventional study, which means researchers followed patients forward in time and compared two groups that received different treatments. One group of stomach cancer patients received standard chemotherapy plus a special nutrition program and exercise plan, while another group received only standard chemotherapy. The study took place in a hospital in China from June 2021 to December 2024.

The nutrition program was based on official Chinese cancer treatment guidelines and included five steps to improve eating habits. The exercise program used a method called FITT, which stands for frequency (how often), intensity (how hard), time (how long), and type (what kind of exercise). Patients in the intervention group received education and guidance through WeChat, a popular messaging app in China.

Researchers measured muscle mass using a special imaging scan that looks at a specific area of the spine (called L3), which reflects overall body muscle. They also tracked side effects from chemotherapy, particularly a serious condition called neutropenia where the body doesn’t have enough infection-fighting cells.

This research approach matters because it tests whether simple, practical interventions—eating better and exercising—can help real cancer patients during actual treatment. Rather than just studying the effects in a lab, researchers followed actual patients receiving real chemotherapy to see if these lifestyle changes made a difference in their muscle health and ability to tolerate treatment

This study has some strengths: it followed patients over time, measured objective outcomes like muscle mass on scans, and tracked serious side effects. However, patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups, which means there could be differences between the groups we don’t know about. The study was conducted at one hospital in China, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The sample size of 77 patients is moderate—larger studies would provide stronger evidence

What the Results Show

The main finding was that patients who combined nutrition and exercise intervention maintained or improved their muscle mass significantly better than those receiving standard treatment alone. In the intervention group, 64% of patients (25 out of 39) kept their muscle mass stable or gained muscle, compared to only 32% (12 out of 38) in the standard treatment group. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

The second major finding involved side effects from chemotherapy. Patients in the nutrition and exercise group had fewer cases of severe neutropenia (dangerously low infection-fighting cells) compared to the standard treatment group. This is important because neutropenia is a serious side effect that can force patients to delay or stop their cancer treatment.

These results suggest that the combination of proper nutrition and exercise helped patients’ bodies better tolerate the chemotherapy while maintaining their physical strength. This could mean patients feel better, have more energy, and can continue their cancer treatment as planned without interruptions.

While the abstract doesn’t detail other secondary outcomes, the study measured nutritional intake using a standard assessment tool and tracked various side effects beyond just neutropenia. The fact that researchers used a structured five-step nutrition program and a specific exercise framework (FITT) suggests they were measuring compliance and response to different aspects of the intervention, though specific details aren’t provided in the abstract

This research builds on growing evidence that nutrition and exercise matter for cancer patients. Previous studies have shown that maintaining muscle mass during cancer treatment is linked to better outcomes and fewer side effects. This study adds to that evidence by showing that a combined approach of structured nutrition counseling plus exercise—delivered through modern technology like WeChat—can be practical and effective for patients receiving chemotherapy at home

This study has several important limitations to consider. First, patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups, so we can’t be completely sure the nutrition and exercise caused the improvements—other differences between the groups might explain the results. Second, the study was done at one hospital in China, so the results might not apply the same way to patients in other countries or healthcare systems. Third, 77 patients is a relatively small sample size; larger studies would give us more confidence in the findings. Finally, we don’t know how long the benefits lasted after the study ended, or whether all patients were able to stick with the nutrition and exercise program

The Bottom Line

For stomach cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Consider discussing with your cancer care team about adding a structured nutrition plan and regular exercise to your treatment routine. The evidence suggests this combination may help you maintain muscle strength and reduce severe side effects. Start with modest goals—even light activity and improved nutrition appear beneficial. Work with your medical team to create a plan that fits your energy level and treatment schedule. Confidence level: Moderate—this is one study with positive results, but more research would strengthen the recommendation

This research is most relevant for: (1) People with stomach cancer receiving chemotherapy, (2) Their family members and caregivers, (3) Oncologists and cancer care teams looking for ways to help patients tolerate treatment better. This may be less directly applicable to people with other cancer types, though the general principles of nutrition and exercise during cancer treatment are widely supported. People with severe mobility limitations or other health conditions should work with their doctors to adapt these recommendations

You likely won’t see dramatic changes overnight. Maintaining or improving muscle mass during chemotherapy is a gradual process that typically becomes noticeable over weeks to months. Most patients in this study were followed for the duration of their chemotherapy treatment (several months). Benefits like fewer severe side effects might appear within the first few weeks of starting the combined program, while muscle mass changes typically take 4-8 weeks to become measurable

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly muscle-related measurements: (1) Body weight, (2) How you feel physically (energy level 1-10), (3) Ability to do daily activities (climbing stairs, walking distance), (4) Any severe side effects from chemotherapy. This gives you concrete data to share with your care team
  • Set up a simple nutrition and exercise routine: (1) Log daily food intake focusing on protein-rich foods, (2) Record 3-4 exercise sessions per week (even 15-20 minutes of walking counts), (3) Use app reminders for meal times and exercise, (4) Share progress with your care team weekly through the app
  • Create a dashboard showing: (1) Weekly weight trends, (2) Exercise frequency and type, (3) Nutrition quality scores, (4) Side effect severity ratings, (5) Energy and function levels. Review monthly with your oncology team to adjust the program as needed during treatment

This research describes one study on stomach cancer patients receiving specific chemotherapy drugs (SOX/XELOX). These findings should not replace medical advice from your oncology team. Before starting any nutrition program or exercise routine during cancer treatment, discuss it with your doctor or cancer care team, as recommendations may vary based on your specific cancer type, treatment plan, overall health, and current side effects. This study was conducted in China and results may not apply equally to all populations or healthcare settings. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making changes to your cancer treatment plan or lifestyle during chemotherapy.