Abstract P4-10-10: Effectiveness and feasibility of exercise-oncology programs in breast cancer patients using new technologies adapted to the COVID 19 new normality

Abstract

Introduction: eHealth programs is an emerging area because of the restricted measures for controlling COVID19 pandemic a such as avoiding close contact or group activities, especially indoor. For these reasons, Spanish Cancer Association of Madrid (AECCmad), transformed all exercise-oncology programs into online version with the objective of maintaining the exercise attention to the breast cancer patients (BCP). This abstract shows the first results from this adapted intervention, evaluating the effectiveness in physical outcomes as well as the feasibility of the new model. Methodology: Since 1st of September of 2020 a total of 64 patients with breast cancer (BC) in different stages were attended in the exercise-oncology unit of the AECCmad using the online model. Firstly, a specialized nurse checked that all patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria to ensure BCP safeness. After this, all women had a one-to-one interview with the exercise-oncology professionals, face-to-face (F-F) or online, where anthropometrics (weight and high in virtual and bioimpedance in F-F interview) and functional capacity (6 minutes walking test, sit and stand in online interview, and that two as well as cardiorespiratory fitness, maximal strength and bioimpedance in F-F interview) were assessed to individualized exercise interventions. Then, BCP were enrolled in a 8-weeks online program adapted to their characteristics, where a specialist in exercise-oncology supervised each session, performing a combined exercise intervention from 50 to 90% of maximal heart rate. At the end, a final assessment was carried out with a twofold purpose: to inform patients of the achieved changes and to give them a personalized final report that would help women to continue exercising. Adherence of the program and physical variables collected in pre-post tests were analyzed. T test of related samples were used to compare pre-post assessments. Results 59 BCP with a mean of 45.7(10.03) years old completed the online program: 31.3% were survivors, 56.7% were under treatment and 12.5% had metastatic disease and 59% of the women had a F-F assessment, while the 41% were online. Related to the feasibility, program adherence was 92.2% (only 5 patients doped out the program) and classes assistance rate was 81%. BCP showed significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (DifMean (ΔM): 8.56 ml.kg.min; CI95% 5.76 - 11.37; p=0.0001), strength in upper limbs (DifMean:11.38 kg; CI95%: 8.97 - 13.79; p=0.0001), and in legs (ΔM: 29.37 kg; CI95%: 23.93 - 34.82; p=0.0001) and in sit and stand test (ΔM: 4.53 squats; CI95%: 2.19 - 6.88; p=0.0001); and almost significant in distance of six minutes walking test (ΔM: 76.70 meters; CI95%: -4.80 - 158.21; p=0.064) Conclusions: Exercise-oncology online programs adapted to BCP characteristics are feasible and effective to significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity. In addition, this type of programs might be a useful tool to achieve a healthy balance in BCP’s body composition. This new model of intervention not only presents high levels of adherence, but also, allows patients to access supervised exercise programs that otherwise would not be possible. Online intervention in exercise oncology might be a feasible, safe, and effective tool not only to improve BCP’s health but also for other cancer patients, in any stage of cancer. Citation Format: Soraya Casla-Barrio, Lucia Gil-Herrero, Monica Castellanos. Effectiveness and feasibility of exercise-oncology programs in breast cancer patients using new technologies adapted to the COVID 19 new normality [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-10.

Understanding In-Person and Online Exercise Oncology Programme Delivery: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Participant Perspectives

“…This relatively high engagement in the online delivery mode may have been due to the elements of ACE maintenance delivery, including the synchronous, supervised, and group-based nature of the online programme, that facilitated greater engagement and supported building social connections. This is consistent with past interventions that demonstrate higher engagement and attendance through videoconferencing [ 26 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 58 , 59 ]. It is, however, important to consider the order in which participants attended the different ACE exercise environments.…”