Background. Physical exercise increases breast cancer (BC) patients' survival. However, only about two thirds of them follow the American Guidelines of Exercise to cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an exercise intervention in breast cancer patients' lifestyle.

Methods. A randomized clinical trial evaluated an intervention (EXE) vs. a control (CON) group in early stage BC patients who recently finished the chemo and radio (neo) adjuvant. Intervention consists on exercise group classes combining aerobic and resistance activities designed specially for the necessities of these patients. Intensity was increasing gradually and intervention was controlled by a qualified in oncologic exercise specialist. CON group maintained their lifestyle without changes. Leisure-time exercise levels (LTEL), quality of life (QoL), grip strength index (GSI), physical capacity (VO2max) and fatigue, were assessed at baseline and after 3 months in both groups. Women who had been participated in the intervention group were followed up after six months to know if lifestyle levels were maintained.

ANCOVA and Pearson Test were used to analyze the continuous variables of baseline and final data and ANOVA test was used to analyze the follow-up data. A 95% of CI was calculated and p < 0.05 was determined as statistically significant.

Results 89 women, aged 49.06±8.75, completed the study, 44 in EXE group and 45 in CON group. Adherence rate was on average of 89%. Main results are presented in the Table.

Main Results

MEASUREEXE GroupEXE Group EXE Group CON GroupCON Group 
  BL F FU BL F 
QoL*+ 107.53±17.99 112.88±17.74 110.96±14.40 104.94±17.65 103.11±19.26 
LTEL*+ 18.73±20.53 45.11±14.61 34.56±19.51 16.02±8.52 15.04±4.75 
GSI*+ 2.07±1.08 2.60±0.83 2.48±0.58 2.03±0.72 2.12±0.69 
VO2max*+ 26.99±4.35 32.58±4.96 32.11±7.10 27.73±4.82 27.08±3.73 
Fatigue *+ 130.09±19.68 135.94±18.20 138.24±17.49 124.83±24.66 124.00±24.20 
MEASUREEXE GroupEXE Group EXE Group CON GroupCON Group 
  BL F FU BL F 
QoL*+ 107.53±17.99 112.88±17.74 110.96±14.40 104.94±17.65 103.11±19.26 
LTEL*+ 18.73±20.53 45.11±14.61 34.56±19.51 16.02±8.52 15.04±4.75 
GSI*+ 2.07±1.08 2.60±0.83 2.48±0.58 2.03±0.72 2.12±0.69 
VO2max*+ 26.99±4.35 32.58±4.96 32.11±7.10 27.73±4.82 27.08±3.73 
Fatigue *+ 130.09±19.68 135.94±18.20 138.24±17.49 124.83±24.66 124.00±24.20 

BL=baseline; F= Final; FU= Follow-Up. *Significant differences between EXE and CON. + Significant differences between BL and FU.

View Large

There was a significant improvement in LTEL (p=0.0001) and in QoL (p=0.0001) comparing EXE vs. CON group. In addition, results showed a correlation between this two variables in EXE group (r=0.22; p=0.013). These significant improvements, as well as the mentioned correlation, were maintained in the 6-months follow-up assessment in EXE group.

Significant differences between groups were observed in GSI (p=0.004), and in VO2max levels (p=0.001). EXE group showed a significant improvement in fatigue levels compared with CON group (p=0.0001). All these significant improvements were maintained in the 6-months follow-up assessment in EXE group, as well as previous variables.

Conclusion. These results suggest that an exercise intervention increases LTEL correlated to a better QoL, improving patients' lifestyle that could be long lasting. These changes may ameliorate psychological and physical BC treatments side effects, such as fatigue, in patients with early breast cancer that has recently finished adjuvant treatments.

Citation Format: Casla S, López-Tarruella S, Jerez Y, Marquez-Rodas I, Barakat R, Martín M. An integrative intervention to change breast cancer patients' lifestyle: A medical challenge. A randomize controlled trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-10.