Effect of an exercise training intervention with resistance bands on blood cell counts during chemotherapy for lung cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy for lung cancer can have a detrimental effect on white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts. Physical exercise may have a role in improving WBCs and RBCs, although few studies have examined cancer patients receiving adjuvant therapies. The purpose of this pilot trial was to examine the effects of an exercise intervention utilizing resistance bands on WBCs and RBCs in lung cancer patients receiving curative intent chemotherapy. METHODS: A sample of lung cancer patients scheduled for curative intent chemotherapy was randomly assigned to the exercise intervention (EX) condition or usual care (UC) condition. The EX condition participated in a three times weekly exercise program using resistance bands for the duration of chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 14 lung cancer patients completed the trial. EX condition participants completed 79% of planned exercise sessions. The EX condition was able to maintain WBCs over the course of the intervention compared to declines in the UC condition (p = .008; d = 1.68). There were no significant differences in change scores in RBCs. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise with resistance bands may help attenuate declines in WBCs in lung cancer patients receiving curative intent chemotherapy. Larger trials are warranted to validate these findings. Ultimately these findings could be informative for the development of supportive care strategies for lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registration #: NCT01130714

A qualitative synthesis of trials promoting physical activity behavior change among post-treatment breast cancer survivors

Background: Health outcome trials have provided strong evidence that participating in regular physical activity can improve the quality of life and health of post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Focus is now needed on how to promote changes in physical activity behaviour among this group. Purpose: This systematic review examines the efficacy of behavioral interventions for promoting physical activity among post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: Behavioural intervention studies published up until July 2012 were identified through a systematic search of two databases: MEDLINE and CINAHL; and by searching reference lists of relevant publications and scanning citation libraries of project staff. Results: Eight out of the ten identified studies reported positive intervention effects on aerobic physical activity behaviour, ranging from during the intervention period to 6 months post-intervention. Only two studies reported intervention effect-sizes. The identification of factors related to efficacy was not possible due to the limited number and heterogeneity of studies included, as well as the lack of effect sizes reported. Nonetheless, an examination of the eight studies that did yield significant intervention effects suggests that 12-week interventions employing behavior change techniques (e.g., self-monitoring, goal-setting) derived from a variety of theories and delivered in a variety of settings (i.e., one-on-one, group, home) can be effective at changing the aerobic physical activity behavior of breast cancer survivors in the mid-to long-term. Conclusion: Behavioral interventions do hold promise for effectively changing physical activity behavior among breast cancer survivors. However, future research is needed to address the lack of studies exploring long-term intervention effects, mediators of intervention effects and interventions promoting resistance-training activity, and to address issues impacting on validity, such as the limited use of objective physical activity measures and the use of convenience samples. Implications for cancer survivors: Identifying effective ways of assisting breast cancer survivors to adopt and maintain physical activity is important for enhancing the well-being and health outcomes of this group

Physical activity and/or dietary interventions in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review of the maintenance of outcomes

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are common amongst breast cancer survivors. These behaviours are associated with an increased risk of comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes and other cancers. Commercially available, wearable activity trackers (WATs) have potential utility as behavioural interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour within this population

Physical activity and health-related quality of life in young adult cancer survivors: a Canadian provincial survey

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) in several cancer survivor groups but no studies have focused on young adult cancer survivors (YACS). This study determined the prevalence of PA in YACS and examined dose-response associations with HRQL. Methods: A random sample of 2,000 YACS between the ages of 20–44 were identified through a Canadian provincial cancer registry and mailed a survey that included the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF36) survey, and several validated psychosocial scales. The primary endpoint was the physical component summary (PCS) of the SF36. Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 588 YACS. In terms of PA prevalence, 23% were completely sedentary, 25% were insufficiently active, 22% were active within public health guidelines, and 29% were active above public health guidelines. Analysis of covariance adjusted for important medical and demographic covariates showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful doseresponse association between PA and the PCS that spanned 6.3 points (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7 to 8.8; p<0.001) from completely sedentary to within guidelines. Similar associations were found for the mental component summary scale (p=0.002), depression (p<0.001), stress (p<0.001) and self-esteem (p<0.001). Associations between PA and HRQL were stronger for YACS that had previously received chemotherapy. Conclusions: PA is strongly associated with HRQL in YACS but only half of YACS are meeting public health guidelines and almost a quarter are completely sedentary. Randomized controlled trials examining intervention strategies to increase PA and improve health outcomes in this understudied patient population are warranted

A randomized trial of a Facebook-based physical activity intervention for young adult cancer survivors

PURPOSE: Over half of young adult cancer survivors do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. PA interventions can enhance health and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors. However, few exercise interventions have been designed and tested in this population. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week, Facebook-based intervention (FITNET) aimed at increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA compared to a Facebook-based self-help comparison (SC) condition. METHODS: Young adult cancer survivors (n=86) were randomly assigned to the FITNET or SC group. All participants were asked to complete self-administered online questionnaires at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of participants completed post-intervention assessments, and most participants reported using intervention components as intended. Participants in both groups would recommend the program to other young adult cancer survivors (FITNET: 46.9% vs. SC: 61.8%; p=0.225). Over 12 weeks, both groups increased self-reported weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (FITNET: 67 minutes/week, p=0.009 vs. SC: 46 minutes/week, p=0.045), with no significant difference between groups. Increases in light PA were 135 minutes/week greater in the FITNET group relative to the SC group (p=0.032), and the FITNET group reported significant weight loss over time (−2.1 kg, p=0.004; p=0.083 between groups). CONCLUSIONS: Facebook-based intervention approaches demonstrated potential for increasing PA in young adult cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Social networking sites may be a feasible way for young adult cancer survivors to receive health information and support to promote PA and healthy behaviors