BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a clinician referral and exercise program in improving exercise levels and quality of life for men with prostate cancer.
METHODS: This was a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial in Melbourne, Australia comprising 15 clinicians: 8 clinicians were randomized to refer eligible participants (n = 54) to a 12-week exercise program comprising 2 supervised gym sessions and 1 home-based session per week, and 7 clinicians were randomized to follow usual care (n = 93). The primary outcome was self-reported physical activity; the secondary outcomes were quality of life, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
RESULTS: A significant intervention effect was observed for vigorous-intensity exercise (effect size: Cohen's d, 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.82; P = .010) but not for combined moderate and vigorous exercise levels (effect size: d, 0.08; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.45; P = .48). Significant intervention effects were also observed for meeting exercise guidelines (≥150 min/wk; odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.9-7.8; P = .002); positive intervention effects were observed in the intervention group for cognitive functioning (effect size: d, 0.34; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.70; P = .06) and depression symptoms (effect size: d, -0.35; 95% CI, -0.71 to 0.02; P = .06). Eighty percent of participants reported that the clinician's referral influenced their decision to participate in the exercise program.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinician referral and 12-week exercise program significantly improved vigorous exercise levels and had a positive impact on mental health outcomes for men living with prostate cancer. Further research is needed to determine the sustainability of the exercise program and its generalizability to other cancer populations.
Written by:
Livingston PM, Craike MJ, Salmon J, Courneya KS, Gaskin CJ, Fraser SF, Mohebbi M, Broadbent S, Botti M, Kent B. Are you the author?
Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Behavioural Medicine Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, England.
Reference: Cancer. 2015 Apr 15. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.29385
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25877784