Physical Activity Intervention in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer During Active Treatment: Quality of Life and Function.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the feasibility of recruitment and retention, as well as potential quality of life and functional benefits of a self-directed, home-based walking intervention in women undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Results Summary
The study achieved its recruitment target (60 patients) but fell slightly short of retention goals (77% at 3 months vs. 80% target). Walking intervention showed potential benefits, with increased steps correlating with improvements in general and physical well-being and mental health.
Population
Women with stage IV breast cancer during active treatment.
Effective Dosage
150 minutes per week at a comfortable and safe pace.
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | recruitment | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | target of N = 60 was achieved | recruitment is feasible | #1 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | decrease | retention at 3 months follow-up | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | 77% versus a priori 80% | retention fell short | #2 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | general well-being | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | - | potential benefits | #3 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | physical well-being | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | - | potential benefits | #4 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | mental health | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | - | potential benefits | #5 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | steps/week | patients with analyzable Fitbit data at 3 months | from 19,175 to 31,306 | mean steps/week rose | #6 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | FACT-G General well-being | patients with analyzable Fitbit data at 3 months | rho = 0.55, P = .01 | higher number of steps correlated with larger improvements | #7 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | FACT-G Physical well-being | patients with analyzable Fitbit data at 3 months | rho = 0.48, P = .03 | higher number of steps correlated with larger improvements | #8 |
self-directed, home-based walking intervention | increase | PROMIS Mental Health | patients with analyzable Fitbit data at 3 months | rho = 0.55, P = .01 | higher number of steps correlated with larger improvements | #9 |
- | increase | retention at 3 months | women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer | P = .02 | was the strongest predictor | #10 |
BACKGROUND: In this study, we explore recruitment, retention, and potential quality of life (QoL) and function benefits from a self-directed, home-based walking intervention in women during active treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). METHODS: In this single-arm pilot study, women with stage IV BC wore an activity tracker (FitbitTM) to measure steps per week throughout the intervention study. Participants were asked to walk 150 min per week at a comfortable and safe pace. Patient-reported outcome measures (PRO) were collected at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Target recruitment of 60 patients was achieved. In 52 patients who completed all baseline measures, mean age was 55 (SD 11.1), 23% were pre-menopausal, and 19% non-White. Forty patients (77%) were retained at 3 months and 29 (56%) at 6 months. Baseline walking was the strongest predictor of retention at 3 months (P = .02). For 24 patients (46%) with analyzable Fitbit data at 3 months, mean steps/week rose from 19,175 to 31,306. Higher number of steps correlated with larger improvements FACT-G General well-being (FACT-G, rho = 0.55, P = .01), FACT-G Physical well-being (rho = 0.48, P = .03), and PROMIS Mental Health (rho = 0.55, P = .01). CONCLUSION: Recruitment into a walking intervention is feasible (a priory target of N = 60) in women during treatment for MBC, but retention at 3 months follow-up fell short (77% versus a priori 80%), yet there were potential benefits in general and physical well-being and mental health. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02682836.