Physical activity in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer: adherence to a walking intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and predict adherence to a physical activity protocol for patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.


METHODS
Longitudinal, observational study.


METHODS
Cancer center in the upper Midwestern region of the United States.


METHODS
36 patients with breast cancer aged 40-55 years who were receiving adjuvant treatment.


METHODS
A longitudinal study was conducted within a randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of physical activity versus bisphosphonates on bone mineral density. Participants randomized to physical activity were advised to walk 10,000 steps per day and received initial physical therapy consultation and ongoing motivational interviewing. Multilevel modeling was used to identify variables that predict adherence.


METHODS
Adherence to the 10,000-step protocol was estimated with total steps and mean steps per day.


RESULTS
Thirty-six women were enrolled in the physical activity group; 29 provided step data. The mean total steps per participant for the first six weeks was 280,571 (SD = 111,992), which is 67% of the prescribed steps. Excluding days when no steps were recorded, the mean steps per day for the initial six-week period was 7,363 (SD = 2,421), a 74% adherence rate. A significant linear increase occurred in steps per day after chemotherapy in a treatment cycle (p < 0.0001). Baseline inactivity predicted adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to the walking program was compromised during chemotherapy but improved after chemotherapy completion.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowing that chemotherapy predicts adherence to a walking protocol is useful for selecting the type, timing, and intensity of physical activity interventions.
Swenson
Karen K
KK
Oncology Research Department, Park Nicollet Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA. karen.swenson@parknicollet.com
Nissen
Mary Jo
MJ
Henly
Susan J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D047648:Perimenopause; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents