Impact of a telephone-based physical activity intervention upon exercise behaviors and fitness in cancer survivors enrolled in a cooperative group setting

Abstract

Observational studies demonstrate an association between physical activity and improved outcomes in breast and colon cancer survivors. To test these observations with a large, randomized clinical trial, an intervention that significantly impacts physical activity in these patients is needed. The Active After Cancer Trial (AACT) was a multicenter pilot study evaluating the feasibility of a telephone-based exercise intervention in a cooperative group setting. Methods Sedentary (engaging in < 60 minutes of recreational activity/week) breast and colorectal cancer survivors were randomized to a telephone-based exercise intervention or usual care control group. The intervention was delivered through the University of California at San Diego; participants received 10 phone calls over the course of the 16-week intervention. All participants underwent assessment of physical activity, fitness, physical functioning, fatigue and exercise self-efficacy at baseline and after the 16-week intervention. Results One hundred and twenty-one patients were enrolled through 10 Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) institutions; 100 patients had breast cancer and 21 had colorectal cancer. Participants randomized to the exercise group increased physical activity by more than 100%, vs. 22% in controls (54.5 vs. 14.6 minutes, p=0.13), and experienced significant increases in fitness (increased 6-minute walk test distance by 186.9 vs. 81.9 ft, p=0.006) and physical functioning (7.1 vs. 2.6, p=0.04) as compared to the control group. Conclusions Breast and colorectal cancer survivors enrolled in a multicenter, telephone-based physical activity intervention increased physical activity and experienced significant improvements in fitness and physical functioning. Lifestyle intervention research is feasible in a cooperative group setting.

Effects of a Structured Exercise Program on Physical Activity and Fitness in Colon Cancer Survivors: One Year Feasibility Results from the CHALLENGE Trial

“…The 10.5 MET-hours/week between group difference equates to approximately 3.5 hours/week of moderate intensity exercise (at 3 METs) or 1.75 hours/week of vigorous intensity exercise (at 6 METs). The magnitude of this betweengroup behavior change difference compares favorably to other exercise interventions in colorectal cancer survivors that have reported increases compared with usual care of between 30 and 60 minutes/week of moderate intensity exercise (14,(30)(31)(32)(33).…”

Telephone-delivered nutrition and exercise counselling after auto-SCT: a pilot, randomised controlled trial

“…Our finding differed with a recently published study on breast-and colon cancer survivors recruited at 2-36 months following cancer treatment. 38 Differences may be explained by a longer exercise intervention (10-11 calls over 16 weeks), but also, participants had more time to recover from the immediate treatment side effects. A longer intervention is needed to confirm whether the ability to perform exercise amongst autologous PBSC Unable to complete assessment due to relapse (n = 1).…”

Taking the next step: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity and behavior change interventions in recent post-treatment breast cancer survivors

“…Any discrepancies were compared against the full-text articles and resolved through discussion. For one study [20], outcomes specific to BCS were obtained through the lead author.…”