Feasibility and Health Benefits of an Individualized Physical Activity Intervention in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Intervention Study

Abstract

Background There is limited knowledge regarding the potential benefits of physical activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Objective The Advanced stage Breast cancer and Lifestyle Exercise (ABLE) Trial aimed to assess the feasibility of a physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer and to explore the effects of physical activity on functional, psychological, and clinical parameters. Methods The ABLE Trial was a single-arm, 6-month intervention study with a home-based, unsupervised, and personalized walking program using an activity tracker. At baseline and 6 months, we assessed anthropometrics, functional fitness, physical activity level, sedentary behavior, quality of life, fatigue, and tumor progression. Paired proportions were compared using the McNemar test and changes of parameters during the intervention were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman rank correlations. Results Overall, 49 participants (mean age 55 years; recruitment rate 94%) were enrolled and 96% adhered to the exercise prescription (attrition rate 2%). Statistically significant improvements in the 6-minute walking distance test (+7%, P<.001) and isometric quadriceps strength (+22%, P<.001), as well as decreases in body mass index (-2.5%, P=.03) and hip circumference (-4.0%, P<.001) were observed at 6 months. Quality of life remained stable and a nonstatistically significant decrease (-16%, P=.07) in fatigue was observed. Conclusions The high recruitment and adherence rates suggest the willingness of patients with metastatic breast cancer to participate in a physical activity program. The beneficial outcomes regarding physical fitness and anthropometry of this unsupervised physical activity program may encourage these patients to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03148886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03148886

Sarcopenia and serum biomarkers of oxidative stress after a 6-month physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer: results from the ABLE feasibility trial

“…In the ABLE Trial, we previously found that the intervention improved functional capacities (i.e., statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements of 6MWD + 7% [69][70][71], isometric quadriceps strength + 22%) and that muscular strength was maintained despite the progress of the disease and treatment [55]. To our knowledge, only one randomized controlled trial conducted among 200 patients with localized breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy has assessed the impact of resistance and aerobic exercise on sarcopenia [35].…”

Health Behaviors and Wellbeing among those “LIVING” with Metastatic Cancer in the Deep South

“…Early evidence suggests that physical activity interventions are not only safe and low cost, but may improve physical and mental wellbeing among MCS [29][30][31][32][33][34]. Data from CanWalk, a 12-week community-based walking intervention among MCS, show that MCS who walked 30 minutes or more per day reported a higher QOL than those who walked less than 30 minutes per day [31].…”

Effect of Wearable Technology-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Breast Cancer Survivors’ Physiological, Cognitive, and Emotional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

“…Recent research has suggested this population is receptive to technology-based health interventions. In fact, a recent study by Delrieu et al observed BCS to be willing and interested in the use of technology-based interventions to improve HRQoL outcomes, and furthermore, found these interventions to be effective for improving health behaviors such as physical activity participation [ 11 , 12 ]. Further, another study comparing various cancer survivor groups found that BCS, specifically, tended to have the greatest ability to improve physical activity behaviors during a technology-based intervention [ 8 ].…”