Physical activity and health outcomes three months after completing a physical activity behavior change intervention: persistent and delayed effects.
OBJECTIVE
We previously reported the effectiveness of a 12-week physical activity behavior change intervention for breast cancer survivors postintervention with this report, aiming to determine delayed and/or persistent effects 3 months after intervention completion.


METHODS
Forty-one sedentary women with stage I, II, or IIIA breast cancer currently receiving hormonal therapy were randomly assigned to receive the 12-week Better Exercise Adherence after Treatment for Cancer intervention or usual care. Assessments occurred at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months postintervention.


RESULTS
Weekly minutes of greater than or equal to moderate intensity physical activity measured by accelerometer showed a significant group by time interaction (F = 3.51; P = 0.035; between group difference in the mean change from baseline to 3 months postintervention, 100.1 minute, P = 0.012). Significant group by time interactions also showed sustained improvements from baseline to 3 months postintervention in strength (F = 3.82; P = 0.027; between group difference, 11.2 kg; P = 0.026), waist-to-hip ratio (F = 3.36; P = 0.041; between group difference, -0.04; P = 0.094), and social well-being (F = 4.22; P = 0.023; between group difference, 3.9; P = 0.039). A delayed reduction in lower extremity dysfunction 3 months postintervention was noted (F = 3.24; P = 0.045; between group difference in the mean change from postintervention to 3 months follow-up; P = -7.6; P = 0.015). No group by time effect was noted for fitness, body mass index, percent fat, bone density, total quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General), fatigue, endocrine symptoms, cognitive function, or sleep.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention resulted in sustained improvements in physical activity, strength, central adiposity, and social well-being with lower extremity function benefits appearing 3 months after intervention completion. Testing translation in a multisite study is warranted.
Rogers
Laura Q
LQ
SIU School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794-9636, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu.
Hopkins-Price
Patricia
P
Vicari
Sandy
S
Markwell
Stephen
S
Pamenter
Richard
R
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Hoelzer
Karen
K
Naritoku
Catherine
C
Edson
Billie
B
Jones
Linda
L
Dunnington
Gary
G
Verhulst
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome