title: Quality of life intervention for prostate cancer patients: design and baseline characteristics of the active for life after cancer trial.
abstract: Prostate cancer patients receiving androgen ablation therapy experience significant physical and psychological sequelae associated with their disease and treatment. Because physical activity improves physical and psychological well-being, a lifestyle physical activity intervention may help slow or reverse the associated decline in quality of life (QOL). No studies have evaluated an intervention to improve multiple QOL domains in patients receiving androgen ablation therapy. Active for Life After Cancer is a three-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle physical activity intervention (Lifestyle Program) in improving QOL. The Lifestyle Program, a 6-month behavioral skills training group, is compared to an Educational Support Program and Standard Care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of the randomized trial and present baseline data that will characterize the QOL of the sample. Challenges to recruitment for the trial also will be presented and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science-243, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030-4095, USA. ccarmack@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Cindy L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Carmack Taylor
authors.forename: Murray A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Moor
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pettaway
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sellin
authors.forename: Chuslip
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charnsangavej
authors.forename: Molly C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Gritz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D018579:Patient Selection; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods