title: Community-based FitSTEPS for life exercise program for persons with cancer: 5-year evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were referred by their physician to participate in an individualized program of exercise at one of 14 community centers. The Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form, version 2.0 (SF-36) was used to assess QOL. Individual participants were monitored for 2 years. Data collection took place at baseline, every 3 months months during year 1, and every 6 months during year 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enrolled participants (n = 701) had been diagnosed with different cancers and were at all stages; 177 completed data collection for 2 years. One-way analysis of variance (n = 177) supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL over time. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36, including Physical Function (F = 2.13, P ≤ .047), Role Physical (F = 3.78, P ≤ .001), Vitality (F = 5.97, P ≤ .001), Social Function (F = 4.46, P ≤ .001), Role Emotional (F = 2.56, P ≤ .01), Mental Health (F = 2.16, P ≤ .05), and General Health (F = 3.42, P ≤ .01), were sustainable over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research introduces the concept of a long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve QOL for persons with all stages of cancer. Improvements, noted at the 3-month time point, appear to be sustainable for extended time (24 months). Attrition is problematic and needs to be addressed. Results from this study have significance for practice recommendations and health policy reimbursement issues.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Tyler, and Cancer Foundation for Life, Tyler, TX 75799, USA. bhaas@uttyler.edu
authors.forename: Barbara K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kimmel
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hermanns
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D013781:Texas; D055815:Young Adult