Exploring how physical activity affects cognition and blood vessel health in colorectal cancer survivors
Official title: Cognition, Vascular Function, and Physical Activity in Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10998220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how regular exercise can help improve thinking skills and blood vessel health in people who have survived colorectal cancer, to see if being active can make them feel better overall.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 18, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $45,142 |
| NIH project number | 1F31CA295016-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have survived colorectal cancer and are experiencing cognitive or vascular health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are currently undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of physical activity on cognitive function and vascular health in survivors of colorectal cancer. It aims to understand how engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can improve cognitive processing speed, learning, memory, and arterial stiffness in these individuals. By using accelerometers to measure physical activity levels, the study will compare cognitive and vascular outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors to better understand the potential benefits of exercise. The findings could help develop targeted interventions to enhance the quality of life for these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive function and vascular health for colorectal cancer survivors, enhancing their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that physical activity can positively impact cognitive function and vascular health in various populations, suggesting that this approach may also be beneficial for colorectal cancer survivors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dejonge, Sydney Rae — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Dejonge, Sydney Rae
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Helping childhood cancer survivors and their primary care doctors increase colorectal cancer screening
A remote digital program will help childhood cancer survivors aged 30 and older and their primary care doctors get recommended colorectal cancer screening.
-
Self-management care for colorectal cancer survivors
This project helps colorectal cancer survivors learn new ways to manage their health behaviors, like diet and exercise, to improve their well-being.
-
Liver fat and the risk of colorectal cancer spreading to the liver
This project looks at whether liver fat present when people are diagnosed with stage I–III colorectal cancer is linked to a higher chance the cancer will later spread to the liver.
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Improving health behavior adherence for colorectal cancer survivors
This study is all about helping people who have survived colorectal cancer stick to healthy habits like eating well and staying active, so they can feel better and live longer, with personalized support designed just for them.
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Helping childhood cancer survivors and their doctors improve colorectal cancer screening
This study is looking to help childhood cancer survivors who had radiation treatment in their belly or pelvis and are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer by using a digital program to encourage them and their doctors to follow screening guidelines better.
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Improving physical activity for African American colorectal cancer survivors
This study is looking to help African American colorectal cancer survivors get more active by creating videos with their stories to inspire and motivate them, and we’ll see how well this program works over time.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.