Feasibility of a virtual hybrid resistance and balance training program for older patients with cancer and its preliminary effects on lower body strength and balance.

Abstract

12002 Background: Falls are a major issue among older patients with cancer and can lead to interruption in cancer treatment. Ample evidence shows resistance and balance training can prevent falls in older adults; however, there is a paucity of evidence regarding exercise on fall prevention in the older cancer population, who often have unique risk factors for falls. Given the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing group gatherings and its associated risks is imperative for older patients, who are a vulnerable population. This study sought to investigate the feasibility of an 8-week, virtual exercise program and its preliminary effects on lower body strength and balance in community-dwelling cancer patients. Methods: Study participants were recruited for this pretest-posttest intervention study using consecutive sampling over a one-year period from the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. The intervention entailed leg muscle strengthening and balance training exercises that progressed in difficulty as outlined by the Otago program, and involved a virtual component (facilitated live by a certified exercise physiologist via Zoom meeting platform once a week) and independent at-home training component (twice a week). Lower body strength and balance were assessed using the 5-times chair-stand and the 4-stage balance test, respectively, and were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Results: Twenty-seven older patients (mean age 70.1, range 65-76) participated. The most common cancer sites were breast (48%) and prostate (41%). One participant withdrew due to personal reasons unrelated to the program. The remaining 26 participants completed the intervention. Attendance rate for the virtual component was 97.6% and independent component 84.7%. Participants perceived the program as rewarding and enjoyable (100%), felt this program prepared them to exercise on their own (92%), were confident to continue exercising on their own (81%), and would recommend the program to other patients (100%). At baseline, 33% (n = 9) ≥1 fall over the past 6 months. A statistically significant improvement in lower body strength was detected post-intervention ( p =.001), whereas no difference was detected in balance ( p =.059). Conclusions: This virtual, hybrid resistance and balance training program was feasible, overwhelmingly accepted by our older participants, and appeared effective in improving lower body strength. Findings from this study may have potential to inform design of a larger, randomized multi-site study.

Répercussions de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur l’activité physique des personnes âgées atteintes de cancer dans une province des Prairies canadiennes : résultat d’un sondage

“…Comme mentionné précédemment par les participants, l'effet de groupe facilitait l'activité physique. De récentes études ont montré que l'activité physique à domicile (à l'aide d'outils technologiques comme la plateforme de vidéoconférence Zoom) était une pratique réaliste et acceptée par une vaste majorité des personnes âgées atteintes de cancer (Sattar et al, 2021a;Winters-Stone et al, 2022). Selon les résultats des études en question, l'utilisation des plateformes de vidéoconférence est une solution viable permettant aux personnes âgées de faire de l'activité physique en groupe tout en restant en sécurité chez eux.…”

“…La présente étude analyse un sous-groupe de participants provenant d'une enquête transversale de plus grande envergure (n = 502), diffusée à l'aide d'une plateforme sécurisée et conçue par le service de recherche Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research (CHASR) de l'Université de la Saskatchewan. Vu l'absence de littérature sur le sujet (le contexte de la pandémie étant sans précédent), l'élaboration de ce court sondage s'est appuyée sur les travaux antérieurs de l'équipe de recherche (Sattar et al, 2021a;Sattar et al, 2021b). La population alors étudiée était formée de personnes âgées atteintes de cancer et vivant à domicile en Saskatchewan.…”

The feasibility of physical activity interventions for older adults living with and beyond carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Visual inspection indicates most of the interventions showed a trend towards increasing physical activity levels from baseline to post-intervention, except for two studies (99,87). Nine studies reported improvement of physical function outcomes (e.g., hand grip strength, short physical performance battery), and no change was reported in three studies (93,87,101). Improvements in QoL were demonstrated in three studies (99,97,92), whilst three studies found no changes (93,87,102).…”

“…The reporting of human and data management was very limited. Six studies reported recruitment and/or retention challenges, due to age (99,103), di culty recruiting into prehabilitation because of exercise beliefs or emotional load of diagnosis (88, 95), and COVID-19 (97,101). Two studies modi ed eligibility criteria to increase recruitment.…”

“…Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was not appropriate for some participants due to medical conditions or complications post-surgery (85, 95). One study completed data collection over video call, which was hindered by a poor connection for 2 of the 27 participants (101). Finally, one study collected physical activity data using diaries, this resulted in 12…”