Effects of high-intensity interval training compared with resistance training in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training (RES) versus usual care (UC) on cancer-treatment-related fatigue and other outcomes in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Results Summary
HIIT and RES both significantly attenuated increases in cancer-treatment-related fatigue and improved functional exercise capacity compared to UC. No other secondary outcomes differed between groups, and both interventions were safe with excellent attendance rates.
Population
Prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), aged 69.1 ± 8.2 years.
Effective Dosage
HIIT consisted of 8–15 × 60-second intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate), performed three times per week.
Duration
5–8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
high-intensity interval training (HIIT) | decrease | cancer-treatment-related fatigue (CTRF) | PCa patients undergoing RT | - | attenuated increases in | #1 |
resistance training (RES) | decrease | cancer-treatment-related fatigue (CTRF) | PCa patients undergoing RT | - | attenuated increases in | #2 |
high-intensity interval training (HIIT) | increase | functional exercise capacity | PCa patients undergoing RT | - | increased | #3 |
resistance training (RES) | increase | functional exercise capacity | PCa patients undergoing RT | - | increased | #4 |
usual care (UC) | increase | functional exercise capacity | PCa patients undergoing RT | +0.1% | increased | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Exercise training has shown beneficial effects in the management of radiotherapy-related side effects in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). However, the optimal modality of the exercise programs have not been yet determined. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training (RES) compared to usual care (UC) on cancer-treatment-related fatigue (CTRF) (primary outcome), quality of life, depression, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, functional exercise capacity and executive function in PCa patients during RT. METHODS: PCa patients undergoing RT with or without ADT were randomized in HIIT, RES or UC. Both exercise programs included three sessions per week during 5-8 weeks. HIIT consisted of 8-15 × 60 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate). RES was performed with 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions for each large muscle groups. The primary outcome was changed in CTRF measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue. RESULTS: Seventy-two subjects (69.1 ± 8.2 years) completed the study. No exercise-related adverse events occurred. HIIT (p = 0.012) and RES (p = 0.039) training attenuated increases in CTRF compared to UC. Functional exercise capacity, evaluated by the 6-min walk test, increased after HIIT (p = 0 = 0.43) and RES (p = 0.041) compared to UC (+0.1%). No other secondary variables were different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both intervention groups displayed beneficial effects on CTRF and functional exercise capacity in PCa patients undergoing RT. In addition, HIIT and RES are both safe with an excellent attendance rate to the exercise sessions.