Effects of a self-managed home-based walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-managed home-based moderate intensity walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.


METHODS
The randomised controlled trial compared a self-managed, home-based walking intervention to usual care alone among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Outcome measures included changes in self-report measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, self-esteem, mood and physical activity. Fifty participants were randomised to either the intervention group (n = 25), who received 12 weeks of moderate intensity walking, or the control group (n = 25) mid-way through chemotherapy. Participants in the intervention group were provided with a pedometer and were asked to set goals and keep weekly diaries outlining the duration, intensity and exertion of their walking. Levels of psychosocial functioning and physical activity were assessed pre- and post-intervention in both groups.


RESULTS
The intervention had positive effects on fatigue (F = 5.77, p = 0.02), self-esteem (F = 8.93, p ≤ 0.001), mood (F = 4.73, p = 0.03) and levels of physical activity (x (2) = 17.15, p = 0.0011) but not anxiety (F = 0.90, p = 0.35) and depression (F = 0.26, p = 0.60) as assessed using the HADS. We found an 80% adherence rate to completing the 12-week intervention and recording weekly logs.


CONCLUSIONS
This self-managed, home-based intervention was beneficial for improving psychosocial well-being and levels of physical activity among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.


BACKGROUND
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50709297.
School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. kajalgokal@hotmail.com.|National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. kajalgokal@hotmail.com.
Kajal
K
Gokal
School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. d.wallis@lboro.ac.uk.|National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. d.wallis@lboro.ac.uk.
Deborah
D
Wallis
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. samreen.ahmed@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
Samreen
S
Ahmed
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. ion.boiangiu@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
Ion
I
Boiangiu
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. kiran.kancherla@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
Kiran
K
Kancherla
School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. f.munir@lboro.ac.uk.|National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. f.munir@lboro.ac.uk.
Fehmidah
F
Munir
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Emotional distress; Physical activity; Psychosocial well-being; Walking