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Exercise for health: a randomized, controlled trial evaluating the impact of a pragmatic, translational exercise intervention on the quality of life, function and treatment-related side effects following breast cancer

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Abstract

Exercise for Health was a randomized, controlled trial designed to evaluate two modes of delivering (face-to-face [FtF] and over-the-telephone [Tel]) an 8-month translational exercise intervention, commencing 6-weeks post-breast cancer surgery (PS). Outcomes included quality of life (QoL), function (fitness and upper body) and treatment-related side effects (fatigue, lymphoedema, body mass index, menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression and pain). Generalised estimating equation modelling determined time (baseline [5 weeks PS], mid-intervention [6 months PS], post-intervention [12 months PS]), group (FtF, Tel, Usual Care [UC]) and time-by-group effects. 194 women representative of the breast cancer population were randomised to the FtF (n = 67), Tel (n = 67) and UC (n = 60) groups. There were significant (p < 0.05) interaction effects on QoL, fitness and fatigue with differences being observed between the treatment groups and the UC group. Trends observed for the treatment groups were similar. The treatment groups reported improved QoL, fitness and fatigue over time and changes observed between baseline and post-intervention were clinically relevant. In contrast, the UC group experienced no change, or worsening QoL, fitness and fatigue, mid-intervention. Although improvements in the UC group occurred by 12-months post-surgery, the change did not meet the clinically relevant threshold. There were no differences in other treatment-related side effects between groups. This translational intervention trial, delivered either FtF or Tel, supports exercise as a form of adjuvant breast cancer therapy that can prevent declines in fitness and function during treatment and optimise recovery post-treatment.

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Acknowledgments

Study investigators would like to sincerely thank those who agreed to participate in this study and who were willing to do so within weeks of receiving their breast cancer diagnosis. Thank you also to the Breast Care Nurses and the Exercise Physiologists who worked on this project for their invaluable contributions in making the study a success. This research project was supported by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The funding source had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; nor in the writing and submission of this publication. The research positions of SH and EE are supported via an NBCF Early Career Research Fellowship and an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship, respectively.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Sandra C. Hayes, Sheree Rye, Tracey DiSipio, Patsy Yates & Diana Battistutta

  2. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia

    Sandra C. Hayes, Sheree Rye & Tracey DiSipio

  3. School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Patsy Yates

  4. Haematology and Oncology Clinic of Australia, Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    John Bashford

  5. Mater Public and Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Chris Pyke

  6. School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Christobel Saunders

  7. School of Population Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Elizabeth Eakin

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  1. Sandra C. Hayes
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  2. Sheree Rye
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  9. Elizabeth Eakin
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Correspondence to Sandra C. Hayes.

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Hayes, S.C., Rye, S., DiSipio, T. et al. Exercise for health: a randomized, controlled trial evaluating the impact of a pragmatic, translational exercise intervention on the quality of life, function and treatment-related side effects following breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 137, 175–186 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-012-2331-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-012-2331-y

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