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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019 Jul 24;21(7):e14418.
doi: 10.2196/14418.

A Web-Based Exercise System (e-CuidateChemo) to Counter the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Angelica Ariza-Garcia #  1   2 , Mario Lozano-Lozano #  1   3   4   5 , Noelia Galiano-Castillo #  1   3   4   5 , Paula Postigo-Martin  1   3   5 , Manuel Arroyo-Morales  1   3   4   5 , Irene Cantarero-Villanueva  1   3   4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Web-Based Exercise System (e-CuidateChemo) to Counter the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Angelica Ariza-Garcia et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer patients have to face a high-risk state during chemotherapy, which involves deterioration of their health including extensive physical deterioration. Face-to-face physical exercise programs have presented low adherence rates during medical treatment, and telehealth systems could improve these adherence rates.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based exercise program (e-CuidateChemo) to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy on the physical being, anthropometric aspects, and body composition.

Methods: A total of 68 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy, were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups: e-CuidateChemo (n=34) and controls (n=34). The e-CuidateChemo group participated in an adapted 8-week tailored exercise program through a Web-based system. A blinded, trained researcher assessed functional capacity, strength, anthropometric parameters, and body composition. The intervention effects were tested using analysis of covariance and Cohen d tests.

Results: Functional capacity improved significantly in the e-CuidateChemo group compared to the control group (6-minute walk test: 62.07 [SD 130.09] m versus -26.34 [SD 82.21] m; 6-minute walk test % distance predicted: 10.81% [SD 22.69%] m versus -4.60% [SD 14.58%]; between-group effect: P=.015 for both). The intervention group also showed significantly improved secondary outcomes such as between-group effects for abdominal (24.93 [SD 26.83] s vs -18.59 [SD 38.69] s), back (12.45 [SD 10.20] kg vs 1.39 [10.72] kg), and lower body (-2.82 [SD 3.75] s vs 1.26 [SD 2.84] s) strength; all P<.001 compared to the control group.

Conclusions: This paper showed that a Web-based exercise program was effective in reversing the detriment in functional capacity and strength due to chemotherapy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02350582; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02350582.

Keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy; e-health; physical fitness; randomized control trial; telehealth; therapeutic exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Recruitment and randomization flow diagram process.
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