title: Exercise Interventions for Preserving Physical Function Among Cancer Survivors in Middle to Late Life.
abstract: The purpose of this review was to evaluate randomized controlled trials aiming to preserve the functional status, i.e. physical capabilities, of middle-aged and older cancer survivors through a structured, physical exercise intervention. The study team performed a thorough search of the literature using six online databases. This literature search limited included studies to randomized controlled trials which implemented a structured physical activity intervention for middle- and older-aged adults diagnosed with cancer. Studies were also required include at least one objective measure of physical function as a dependent outcome. This literature search yielded thirty-eight studies. The majority of the literature reviewed was successful in improving several functional outcomes including time needed to rise from a chair or distance covered during the six-minute walk test. A large number of published trials also suggest that exercise is effective in decreasing fatigue. However, a lack of trials investigating outcomes in older populations (≥ 65 years) was noted in this review. The results of this review suggest that a structured exercise program may be physically beneficial for middle-aged to older cancer survivors. Particularly, such interventions could preserve the functional status of cancer patients and, consequently, improve their long-term health outcomes. Future implications include further investigation into strictly older cancer patient populations, as outcomes related to exercise might differ between older and middle-aged adults.
authors.affiliation: Thomas W. Buford, Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, Telephone: 352-273-5918, Fax: 352-273-5920, Email: tbuford@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Daum
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Buford
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors