Brain HealthExercise Fights Chemo Brain Better Than Ibuprofen in New Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, known as chemo brain, affects up to 80% of cancer patients undergoing treatment. A Phase II clinical trial tested whether a home-based exercise program, low-dose ibuprofen, or both could help preserve mental sharpness during chemotherapy. Eighty-six patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups for six weeks. Those who followed the exercise program showed significantly better attention scores and fewer cognitive problems noticed by friends and family compared to placebo. Ibuprofen offered some benefits but produced mixed results, including a surprising reduction in short-term verbal memory gains. Exercise emerged as the more reliable and consistent intervention for protecting cognitive function during chemotherapy treatment.
