A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month dietary and physical activity intervention for patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with an increased fat mass, decreased lean mass, increased fatigue and a reduction in quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month dietary and physical activity intervention for prostate cancer patients receiving ADT, to help minimise these side effects.


METHODS
Patients (n = 94) were recruited to this study if they were planned to receive ADT for prostate cancer for at least 6 months. Men randomised to the intervention arm received a dietary and exercise intervention, commensurate with UK healthy eating and physical activity recommendations. The primary outcome of interest was body composition; secondary outcomes included fatigue, QoL, functional capacity, stress and dietary change.


RESULTS
The intervention group had a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in weight, body mass index and percentage fat mass compared to the control group at 6 months; the between-group differences were -3.3 kg (95% confidence interval (95% CI) -4.5, -2.1), -1.1 kg/m(2) (95% CI -1.5, -0.7) and -2.1% (95% CI -2.8, -1.4), respectively, after adjustment for baseline values. The intervention resulted in improvements in functional capacity (p < 0.001) and dietary intakes but did not significantly impact fatigue, QoL or stress scores at endpoint.


CONCLUSIONS
A 6-month diet and physical activity intervention can minimise the adverse body composition changes associated with ADT.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that a pragmatic lifestyle intervention is feasible and can have a positive impact on health behaviours and other key outcomes in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT.
Cancer Epidemiology and Health Services Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, r.oneill@qub.ac.uk.
Roisin F
RF
O'Neill
Farhana
F
Haseen
Liam J
LJ
Murray
Joe M
JM
O'Sullivan
Marie M
MM
Cantwell
D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004032:Diet; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors
D000726:Androgen Antagonists