Adherence to a randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise in breast cancer survivors: the Yale exercise and survivorship study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of exercise adherence in breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
Seventy-five breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 37) or usual care (n = 38). Demographic, prognostic, physiologic, and psychosocial information was collected at baseline and 6 months. The exercise goal was 30 min of exercise 5 days/week for 6 months.


RESULTS
Women randomized to exercise participated in moderate-intensity recreational exercise for 123 +/- 52 min/week (81% of the prescribed 150 min/week) over 6 months. Baseline variables associated with better adherence were lower body mass index (BMI), smaller waist circumference, higher amounts of physical activity 6 months prior to enrollment, being in the preparation vs. contemplation Stage of Change and higher FACT-B breast cancer subscale score. After adjusting for these variables, lower BMI and higher Stage of Change continued to be associated with better adherence (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies of exercise and breast cancer prognosis should target obese women for participation, as well as women just beginning to contemplate participation and its benefits after a cancer diagnosis.
Latka
Rebecca N
RN
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.
Alvarez-Reeves
Marty
M
Cadmus
Lisa
L
Irwin
Melinda L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*; D003237:Connecticut; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate