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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Sep;24(9):2267-73.
doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdt185. Epub 2013 May 23.

Efficacy of multimodal exercise-based rehabilitation on physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled trial

J Midtgaard  1 , J F Christensen, A Tolver, L W Jones, J Uth, B Rasmussen, L Tang, L Adamsen, M Rørth
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of multimodal exercise-based rehabilitation on physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled trial

J Midtgaard et al. Ann Oncol. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Sedentary behavior and impaired cardiovascular reserve capacity are common late effects of cancer therapy emphasizing the need for effective strategies to increase physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. We examined the efficacy of a 12-month exercise-based rehabilitation program on self-reported PA, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak), strength, and patient-reported outcomes.

Patients and methods: Two hundred fourteen post-treatment cancer survivors were randomly assigned to a 12-month rehabilitation program consisting of individual (x3) and group-based (x6) counseling in combination with once weekly high-intensity group-based exercise training (the Copenhagen Physical Activity after Cancer Treatment, PACT; n = 108) or to a health evaluation program (HE, n = 106). Study outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results: After 12 months, the percentage of patients reporting meeting PA goal behavior (≥3 h/week) was significantly increased in the PACT group versus the HE group (70.4% versus 43.4%, P = 0.001). Repeated measures analyses indicated a statistically significant improvement in VO2peak (l min(-1)) in favour of PACT (treatment effect ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.07; P = 0.032). Significant between group differences were also observed for strength (P < 0.001), depression (P = 0.020) and mental health (P = 0.040).

Conclusion: A 12-month exercise-based rehabilitation program is an effective strategy to promote PA and improve VO2peak in cancer survivors.

Keywords: cancer survivors; cardiorespiratory fitness; exercise; physical activity behavior; rct; rehabilitation.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT diagram showing flow of participants through the trial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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