Introduction
Physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining strength, reducing fatigue, and improving quality of life during brain tumor treatment and recovery. This guide outlines safe exercise recommendations tailored to brain tumor patients.
Safety Precautions
- Obtain clearance from your neurologist before starting any exercise program
- Exercise with a companion when possible
- Stop immediately if you experience:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Severe headache
- Vision changes
- Unusual fatigue
- Balance problems
Recommended Exercise Types
1. Balance Exercises
- Seated balance exercises
- Standing with support
- Heel-to-toe walking (with assistance)
- Single-leg standing (when appropriate)
2. Strength Training
- Start with bodyweight exercises
- Use resistance bands
- Light weights (1-3 lbs)
- Focus on major muscle groups
3. Cardiovascular Activity
- Walking (start with 5-10 minutes)
- Stationary cycling
- Seated marching
- Swimming (if cleared by physician)
Exercise Progression
Week 1-2
- 5-10 minutes per session
- 2-3 sessions per week
- Light intensity
Week 3-4
- 10-15 minutes per session
- 3-4 sessions per week
- Light to moderate intensity
Week 5+
- 15-30 minutes per session
- 4-5 sessions per week
- Moderate intensity as tolerated
Monitoring Guidelines
- Use Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale 1-10
- Stay between 3-5 on RPE scale
- Monitor heart rate if prescribed
- Keep exercise log
When to Modify or Stop
- During active treatment phases
- Following surgery (as directed)
- When experiencing new symptoms
- During periods of increased fatigue
Support Resources
- Physical Therapy referral
- Occupational Therapy services
- Local cancer exercise programs
- Online brain tumor support groups