Physical Activity for Symptom Management in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Feasibility Trial on Physical Activity and Breast Metastases

Jasmine Yee; Glen M Davis; Daniel Hackett; Jane M Beith; Nicholas Wilcken; David Currow; Jon Emery; Jane Phillips; Andrew Martin; Rina Hui; Michelle Harrison; Eva Segelov; Sharon L Kilbreath

doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.07.022

Physical Activity for Symptom Management in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Feasibility Trial on Physical Activity and Breast Metastases

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019 Dec;58(6):929-939. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.07.022. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia.
² The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, Australia.
³ Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Daw Park, Australia.
⁵ General Practice and Primary Care Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; General Practice, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
⁷ Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
⁸ Monash Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁹ Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia. Electronic address: sharon.kilbreath@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 31374368
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.07.022

Abstract

Context: Physical activity for women with early-stage breast cancer is well recognized for managing cancer-related symptoms and improving quality of life. While typically excluded from interventions, women with metastatic breast cancer may also benefit from physical activity.

Objective: To 1) determine the safety and feasibility of a physical activity program for women with metastatic breast cancer and 2) explore the efficacy of the program.

Methods: Fourteen women with metastatic breast cancer were randomized to either a control group or an 8-week home-based physical activity intervention comprising twice weekly supervised resistance training and an unsupervized walking program.

Results: The recruitment rate was 93%. Adherence to the resistance and walking components of the program was 100% and 25%, respectively. No adverse events were reported. When mean change scores from baseline to postintervention were compared, trends in favor of the exercise group over the control group were observed for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue score (+5.6 ± 3.2 vs. -1.8 ± 3.9, respectively), VO_2max (+1.6 ml/kg/minute ±1.8 mL/kg/minute vs. -0.2 mL/kg/minute ±0.1 mL/kg/minute, respectively) and six-minute walk test (+40 m ± 23 m vs. -46 m ± 56 m, respectively).

Conclusion: A partially supervised home-based physical activity program for women with metastatic breast cancer is feasible and safe. The dose of the resistance training component was well tolerated and achievable in this population. In contrast, adherence and compliance to the walking program were poor. Preliminary data suggest a physical activity program, comprising predominantly resistance training, may lead to improvements in physical capacity and may help women to live well with their disease.

Keywords: Physical activity; advanced cancer; exercise; fatigue; metastatic cancer; physical function.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Anaerobic Threshold
Breast Neoplasms / complications
Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
Exercise Therapy / methods*
Exercise*
Fatigue / etiology
Fatigue / prevention & control
Feasibility Studies
Female
Home Care Services
Humans
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Patient Compliance
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life
Treatment Outcome
Walk Test
Walking