Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Sep 24, 2018
Date Accepted: Aug 1, 2019
Feasibility and health benefits of an individualized physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer: results of the ABLE single-arm Trial study
ABSTRACT
Background:
There is limited knowledge regarding the potential benefits of physical activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Objective:
The ABLE Trial aimed to assess the feasibility of a physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer and explore the effects of physical activity on functional, psychological, and clinical parameters.
Methods:
The ABLE Trial was a single-arm, six-month intervention study with home-based, unsupervised, and personalized walking program using an activity tracker. At baseline and six months, we assessed anthropometrics, functional fitness, physical activity level, sedentary, quality of life, fatigue, and tumour progression. Paired proportions were compared using the McNemar’s test and changes of parameters during the intervention were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann Whitney test, and Spearman's rank correlations.
Results:
Overall, 49 participants (mean age, 55 years; recruitment rate, 94%) were enrolled and 96% adhered to the exercise prescription (attrition 2%). Statistically significant improvements in the 6-minute walking distance (+7%, p<.001) and isometric quadriceps strength (+22%, p<.001), and decreases in body mass index (-2.5%, p=.03) and hip circumference (-4.0%, p<.001) were observed at six months. Quality of life remained stable and a non-statistically significant decrease (-16%, p=.07) in fatigue was observed.
Conclusions:
The high recruitment and adherence rates suggest the willingness of patients with metastatic breast cancer to participate in a physical activity program. The beneficial outcomes regarding physical fitness and anthropometry of this unsupervised physical activity program may encourage these patients to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample size are warranted. Clinical Trial: NCT03148886
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