Adherence to moderate-intensity exercise during breast cancer therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this pilot study were the following: 1) to examine patterns of adherence to a brisk walking program in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy for newly diagnosed breast cancer using a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental design; 2) to examine the influence of disease symptoms and treatment side effects on exercise levels; and 3) to suggest methods that may improve future clinical trials of moderate-intensity exercise in similar populations.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms: usual care or usual care plus exercise. Those assigned to the exercise group received a standardized, self-administered, home-based brisk walking intervention in addition to usual care. Each day subjects completed self-report diary forms that elicited information about activity levels, and the occurrence of symptoms and side effects during cancer treatment.


RESULTS
Analyses of self-reported daily activity levels revealed a diffusion of treatment effect. Fifty percent of the usual-care group reported maintaining or increasing their physical activity to a moderate-intensity level, while 33% of the exercise group did not exercise at the prescribed levels. Analyses of self-reported disease symptoms and treatment side effects did not reveal clinically meaningful differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that women who exercised regularly before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis attempted to maintain their exercise programs. Women who lead sedentary lifestyles may benefit from a structured exercise program that includes information and support related to exercise adherence strategies.
Pickett
Mary
M
Villanova University, College of Nursing, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA.
Mock
Victoria
V
Ropka
Mary E
ME
Cameron
Lane
L
Coleman
Meghan
M
Podewils
Laura
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking