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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Sep-Oct;7(5):158-67.

A 4-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program during radiation therapy: a pilot randomized clinical trial

Karen M Mustian  1 , Luke Peppone, Tom V Darling, Oxana Palesh, Charles E Heckler, Gary R Morrow
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A 4-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program during radiation therapy: a pilot randomized clinical trial

Karen M Mustian et al. J Support Oncol. 2009 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

During radiation therapy, cancer patients may report cancer-related fatigue (CRF), which impairs aerobic capacity, strength, muscle mass, and, ultimately, quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this pilot clinical trial was to examine the feasibility and initial efficacy of a home-based aerobic and progressive resistance exercise intervention for aerobic capacity, strength, muscle mass, CRF, and QOL. Daily steps walked (DSW), daily minutes of resistance exercise (MRE), and number of resistance exercise days (RED) were assessed to evaluate intervention adherence. Breast and prostate cancer patients (n = 38) beginning radiation therapy were randomized to undergo 4 weeks of exercise or no exercise. Participants in the exercise group demonstrated good adherence to the exercise intervention, with significantly more DSW, MRE, and RED at post intervention and 3 month follow-up than controls. Participants in the exercise intervention exhibited significantly higher QOL and significantly lower CRF post intervention and at 3-month follow-up than controls. Results of this pilot study provide positive preliminary evidence that exercise during radiation may be beneficial for cancer patients.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Change in Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) as Assessed by BFI from Baseline to Post Intervention and Follow-Up BFI = Brief Fatigue Inventory
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) as Assessed by FACIT–F from Baseline to Post Intervention and Follow-Up FACIT–F = Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue
Figure 3
Figure 3
Change in Aerobic Capacity from Baseline to Post Intervention and Follow-Up
Figure 4
Figure 4
Change in Strength from Baseline to Post Intervention and Follow-Up
Figure 5
Figure 5
Change in Quality of Life (QOL) as Assessed by FACIT–F from Baseline to Post Intervention and Follow-Up FACIT–F = Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Morrow GR, Shelke AR, Roscoe JA, Hickok JT, Mustian K. Management of cancer-related fatigue. Cancer Invest. 2005;23:229–239. 15945509. - PubMed
    1. Wagner LI, Cella D. Fatigue and cancer: causes, prevalence and treatment approaches. Br J Cancer. 2004;91:822–888. 15238987. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hickok JT, Roscoe JA, Morrow GR, Mustian K, Okunieff P, Bole CW. Frequency, severity, clinical course, and correlates of fatigue in 372 patients during 5 weeks of radiotherapy for cancer. Cancer. 2005;104:1772–1778. 16116608. - PubMed
    1. Hickok JT, Morrow GR, Roscoe JA, Mustian K, Okunieff P. Occurrence, severity, and longitudinal course of twelve common symptoms in 1129 consecutive patients during radiotherapy for cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2005;30:433–442. 16310617. - PubMed
    1. Mustian K, Adams MJ, Schwartz R, Lipshultz S, Constine L. Cardiotoxic effects of radiation therapy in Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer survivors and the potential mitigating effects of exercise. In: Rubin P, Constine L, Marks L, Okunieff P, editors. Cancer Survivorship Research and Education: Late Effects on Normal Tissues. Springer-Verlag; Berlin: 2008. pp. 103–115.

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