Physical activity among breast cancer survivors: regular exercisers vs participants in a physical activity intervention.
BACKGROUND
Secondary prevention is of great importance in the cancer survivor population, given the substantial medical risks survivors face. Consequently, researchers have begun developing interventions that target behavioral risk factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, among survivors. This study represents a novel approach for evaluating the efficacy of a physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
Repeated measures analyses were used to compare a group of previously sedentary breast cancer survivors offered a physical activity intervention (n=43) with a group of regularly active survivors (n=40). These two groups were compared on select behavioral and psychosocial measures associated with physical activity.


RESULTS
Results indicated significant time x group effects on the following: behavioral processes of change, minutes of moderate-intensity activity/week, and time to complete the one-mile walk test (a measure of fitness). There was also a borderline significant interaction for self-efficacy. Contrasts indicated that, for each interaction, previously sedentary and regularly active survivors differed at baseline, but were not significantly different postintervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, after completing a 12-week physical activity intervention, previously sedentary breast cancer survivors became similar to regularly active survivors on select behavioral and psychosocial measures associated with physical activity.
Rabin
Carolyn S
CS
Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA. CRabin@lifespan.org
Pinto
Bernardine M
BM
Trunzo
Joseph J
JJ
Frierson
Georita M
GM
Bucknam
Lynn M
LM
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010507:Periodicity; D020377:Self Efficacy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*