Home-based physical activity intervention for breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of a home-based physical activity (PA) intervention for early-stage breast cancer patients was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Eighty-six sedentary women (mean age, 53.14 years; standard deviation, 9.70 years) who had completed treatment for stage 0 to II breast cancer were randomly assigned to a PA or contact control group. Participants in the PA group received 12 weeks of PA counseling (based on the Transtheoretical Model) delivered via telephone, as well as weekly exercise tip sheets. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after treatment (12 weeks), and 6 and 9 month after baseline follow-ups. The post-treatment outcomes are reported here.


RESULTS
Analyses showed that, after treatment, the PA group reported significantly more total minutes of PA, more minutes of moderate-intensity PA, and higher energy expenditure per week than controls. The PA group also out-performed controls on a field test of fitness. Changes in PA were not reflected in objective activity monitoring. The PA group was more likely than controls to progress in motivational readiness for PA and to meet PA guidelines. No significant group differences were found in body mass index and percent body fat. Post-treatment group comparisons revealed significant improvements in vigor and a reduction in fatigue in the PA group. There was a positive trend in intervention effects on overall mood and body esteem.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention successfully increased PA and improved fitness and specific aspects of psychological well-being among early-stage breast cancer patients. The success of a home-based PA intervention has important implications for promoting recovery in this population.
Pinto
Bernardine M
BM
Center for Behavioral Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, Coro Bldg, Ste 500, One Hoppin St, Providence, RI 02903, USA. bpinto@lifespan.org
Frierson
Georita M
GM
Rabin
Carolyn
C
Trunzo
Joseph J
JJ
Marcus
Bess H
BH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013689:Telephone