Friday 3rd September 2010

First Research Project Commissioned September 2010

The first Bowel Cancer West research project has been commissioned which will be known as the PicoPEX trial. This is a study into the effect of mechanical bowel preperation on aerobic exercise capacity as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 

PicoPEX is an abbreviation for: Picolax and Pre-operative Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing
Reference: South West REC: 09/H0206/63

This is a pilot study on willing healthy volunteers, the project is seeking information on the magnitude of the effect of the following interventions as a preliminary to designing a trial on a population which is representative of patients having major colorectal surgery.

Primary outcomes:

1.Does mechanical bowel preparation and fasting influence aerobic exercise capacity as characterised by performance in a cardiopulmonary exercise test?

2.Does a carbohydrate loading drink influence aerobic exercise capacity as characterised by performance in a cardiopulmonary exercise test?

A total of 9 healthy participants are required for the trials, each participant will perform 3 cardiopulmonary exercise tests, each several weeks apart. A series of tests will be undertaken on exercise bikes with regulatory equipment to monitor body responses before, during and after the aerobic exercise requirements.

The project is being lead by Anaessthetist Gary Minto, Consultant from Derriford Hospital and his team of colleagues which will include Chris Challand, Surgical Research Registrar, Dr Richard Struthers Consultant Anaesthetist, Ken Hosie Colorectal Consultant, and Professor Robert Sneyd, Consultant Anaesthetist and Associate Dean of Peninsula Medical School. 

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