title: A pilot study of an exercise & cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for epithelial ovarian cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynaecologic cancers. Faced with poor prognoses, stressful treatment effects and a high likelihood of recurrence, survivors must confront significant physical and psychological morbidities that negatively impact health-related quality of life. Frequently reported side effects include cancer-related fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and psychological distress. Exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy interventions have counteracted such adverse effects in other cancer populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility and benefits of a 24-week home-based exercise intervention, coordinated with 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (two sessions per month), developed for two types of patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer: 1) those undergoing primary treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy after primary surgery; 2) those on surveillance after completing treatment within the last 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from the Gynaecologic Oncology Clinic. Eligible participants completed baseline assessments and were provided with home-based exercise equipment. Cognitive behavioral therapy was provided every other week for patients via telephone. Assessments were completed at baseline (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  19 of the 46 eligible patients approached were enrolled, with 7 patients in the treatment group and 12 in the surveillance group. There was a significant within group increase in peak VO2 from baseline to 6 months: F(2,16) = 5.531, p = 0.015, partial η2 = 0.409.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined 6-month exercise-cognitive behavioral therapy intervention was associated with significant increases in aerobic fitness in epithelial ovarian cancer patients assessed. These improvements were similar regardless of whether the patient was receiving chemotherapy or under surveillance.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada. shalini.moonsammy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shalini H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Moonsammy
authors.forename: Crissa L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Guglietti
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santa Mina
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kuk
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urowitz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiljer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ritvo
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