Randomized pilot test of a lifestyle physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
This paper will report the results of a pilot test of a 6-month, 21-session intervention to increase breast cancer survivors' physical activity by teaching them to incorporate short periods of moderate activity into their daily routines (lifestyle intervention). The effect of the intervention on physical performance, quality of life, and physical activity are reported.

METHODS:
Sixty breast cancer survivors were randomized to either a lifestyle intervention or a standard care control group. Physical performance, quality of life (Medical outcomes study short form-36 [SF-36]), and physical activity (7-day recall and motivation readiness), were assessed at baseline and 6 months.

RESULTS:
The lifestyle group had significantly better performance in the 6-min walk task than the controls (p=0.005) at 6 months. The intervention had positive effects on the bodily pain (p=0.020) and general health (p=0.006) subscales from the SF-36. The lifestyle group had a greater motivational readiness for physical activity at 6-month than standard care, but no significant differences were seen between the two in terms of number of minutes of moderate or more intense physical activity or number of days on which they did > or =30 min of moderate or more intense activity.

CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the small sample size, the lifestyle intervention showed promise for improving physical functioning and quality of life and increasing physical activity, and should be tested in a larger randomized trial.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
If the lifestyle approach is shown to be effective in a larger trial, it represents a highly feasible intervention that it can be delivered to cancer survivors by health care institutions or community organizations without dedicated exercise facilities and equipment.

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Author information

Author/s: Basen-Engquist, Karen (K); Taylor, Cindy L Carmack (CL); Rosenblum, Carol (C); Smith, Murray A (MA); Shinn, Eileen H (EH); Greisinger, Anthony (A); Gregg, Xylina (X); Massey, Pamela (P); Valero, Vicente (V); Rivera, Edgardo (E);

Affiliation: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, USA. kbasenen(-atsign-)mdanderson.org

Grants: R21 CA89519 (Agency:NCI NIH HHS) ; R25 CA57730 (Agency:NCI NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Patient education and counseling (Patient Educ Couns), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Dec; vol 64 (issue 1-3) : pp 225-34

Dates: Created 2006/11/22; Completed 2007/03/23; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16843633, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living
Attitude to Health
Body Composition
Body Mass Index
Breast Neoplasms - complications; psychology; rehabilitation
Exercise Test
Exercise Therapy - education
Follow-Up Studies
Health Status
Humans
Life Style

Lymphedema - etiology
Motivation
Patient Education as Topic - organization & administration
Pilot Projects
Program Evaluation
Quality of Life - psychology
Questionnaires
Survivors - psychology
Texas
Time Factors
Walking

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