ECHO Trial

Ovarian cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed gynaecological cancer.  During treatment, chemotherapy-related adverse effects are common and contribute to a decline in physical wellbeing and quality of life.

Only 32 per cent of Australian women treated with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer complete the standard chemotherapy without dose restrictions or delay.

ECHO is a randomised controlled trial for ovarian cancer patients to determine whether there is an association between participation in exercise and greater adherence to chemotherapy. Participating in exercise during chemotherapy for other cancer types has been shown to reduce the number and severity of physical and psychosocial treatment-related side effects and improve quality of life. There is also preliminary evidence in the breast cancer setting showing an association between participation in exercise and greater adherence to chemotherapy. 

Trial Sites

• Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD
• Greenslopes Private Hospital, QLD
• Mater Private Hospital, QLD
• Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, QLD
• St Andrew's Private Hospital, QLD
• The Wesley Hospital, QLD

Recruitment

The ECHO trial opened for recruitment in January 2015.

The study aims to recruit 500 participants from Queensland sites.

The study is now closed for recruitment. 524 participants were enrolled in the study.

Publications / Resources

Exercise during CHemotherapy for Ovarian cancer (ECHO) trial: design and implementation of a randomised controlled trial (2023). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067925