Physical Activity for Symptom Management in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Feasibility Trial on Physical Activity and Breast Metastases.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of a walking program for women with metastatic breast cancer and explore its efficacy.
Results Summary
Adherence to the walking program was poor (25%), but no adverse events were reported. Preliminary data suggested potential improvements in physical capacity, though efficacy was not strongly demonstrated.
Population
Women with metastatic breast cancer
Effective Dosage
Unsupervised walking program (frequency not specified)
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program | increase | Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue score | women with metastatic breast cancer | +5.6 ± 3.2 vs. -1.8 ± 3.9 | trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed | #1 |
8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program | increase | VO2peak | women with metastatic breast cancer | +1.8 ± 0.8 vs. -0.2 ± 0.6 mL/kg/min | trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed | #2 |
8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program | increase | upper body strength | women with metastatic breast cancer | +4.0 ± 1.8 vs. -0.1 ± 1.0 kg | trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed | #3 |
8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program | increase | lower body strength | women with metastatic breast cancer | +13.7 ± 6.8 vs. -1.7 ± 7.6 kg | trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed | #4 |
partially supervised home-based physical activity program | no change | feasibility and safety | women with metastatic breast cancer | - | is feasible and safe | #5 |
resistance training component | no change | tolerability and achievability | women with metastatic breast cancer | - | was well tolerated and achievable | #6 |
walking program | decrease | adherence and compliance | women with metastatic breast cancer | - | adherence and compliance were poor | #7 |
physical activity program, comprising predominantly resistance training | increase | physical capacity | women with metastatic breast cancer | - | may lead to improvements | #8 |
physical activity program, comprising predominantly resistance training | increase | women to live well with their disease | women with metastatic breast cancer | - | may help | #9 |
CONTEXT: Physical activity for women with early-stage breast cancer is well recognized for managing cancer-related symptoms and improving quality of life. While typically excluded from interventions, women with metastatic breast cancer may also benefit from physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To 1) determine the safety and feasibility of a physical activity program for women with metastatic breast cancer and 2) explore the efficacy of the program. METHODS: Fourteen women with metastatic breast cancer were randomized to either a control group or an 8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program. RESULTS: The recruitment rate was 93%. Adherence to the resistance and walking components of the program was 100% and 25%, respectively. No adverse events were reported. When mean change scores from baseline to postintervention were compared, trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue score (+5.6 ± 3.2 vs. -1.8 ± 3.9, respectively), VO CONCLUSION: A partially supervised home-based physical activity program for women with metastatic breast cancer is feasible and safe. The dose of the resistance training component was well tolerated and achievable in this population. In contrast, adherence and compliance to the walking program were poor. Preliminary data suggest a physical activity program, comprising predominantly resistance training, may lead to improvements in physical capacity and may help women to live well with their disease.