The impact of supervised exercise intervention on short-term postprogram leisure time physical activity level in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: 1- and 3-month follow-up on the body & cancer project.
BACKGROUND
Exercise is becoming an important component of cancer rehabilitation programs. A consistent finding across studies is that patients experience improved physical fitness and reduced fatigue. However, sustained physical activity is essential if the benefits are to be preserved over the course of cancer survivorship.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined self-reported short-term exercise adherence following a 6-week, supervised exercise program (muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, relaxation, body awareness, and massage) in a heterogeneous group of 61 cancer patients (mean age 42.9 years, 82% oncological and 18% haematological) from the Body & Cancer Project.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were used to quantitatively assess leisure time physical activity level 1 and 3 months after completion of the program. The study furthermore included 3-month follow-up assessment of psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS). Patient statements were selected that best illustrated trends found in the statistical material.


RESULTS
There was a significant postprogram reduction in physical activity from 6 to 10 weeks and from 6 to 18 weeks. However, the patients (half of whom were still undergoing treatment at the time of follow-up) reported a higher physical activity level postprogram compared to their baseline levels. The analyses showed a positive association between the 3-month postprogram physical activity level and pre-illness physical activity level, treatment, and postprogram changes in depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the significant decrease in postprogram PA level, especially in subjects still undergoing cancer treatment, the study suggests that continuous supervised programs may be required in order to encourage and support exercise adherence in this population. However, randomized clinical controlled trials and more follow-up studies are needed to establish the optimal program length and content for sustained exercise adherence in cancer patients.
Midtgaard
Julie
J
The University Hospitals Centre for Nursing and Care Research (UCSF), Copenhagen University Hospital, Department 7331, Copenhagen, Denmark. ucsf@ucsf.dk
Tveterås
Anders
A
Rørth
Mikael
M
Stelter
Reinhard
R
Adamsen
Lis
L
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents