ASPO Abstracts
A 12-week community based physical activity program for lung cancer survivors: a non-randomized pilot study of feasibility.
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication, Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
This pilot study examined the feasibility and effects of a 12-week community-based physical activity (PA) program for lung cancer survivors (LCS). Methods. Participants were accrued via oncologist referral at follow-up clinic, not currently receiving any curative or palliative intent cancer treatments, and had satisfactory performance status. A single group of 15 (13 non-small cell, 2 small cell) LCS participated in an individually-tailored, home-based program supplemented with twice weekly community-based sessions promoting adherence to guidelines for older adults. Sessions involved aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance exercises). The primary outcome was adherence (ie, attendance). Intervention effects were secondary outcomes. Assessments were at pre-, post-, and 3-month post-intervention. Results. Ten participants completed the intervention, 2 withdrew from the study after pre-assessment prior to intervention, 3 attended 5 sessions before withdrawing due to disease progression/clinical deterioration, and 3 more were lost only to follow-up assessment. Mean attendance for the entire sample and those attending 1 session was 58.1% and 67.0%, respectively. Intervention effects of the 7 intervention and assessment completers found time effects for PA, lower body strength, functional capacity, and aerobic power, and both the functional well-being (FWB), physical functioning (PF) quality of life (QL) domain subscales (all p-values<0.05; ES0.73). Post-hoc analyses found increases in PA (p=0.039; ES=0.73), lower body strength (p=0.003; ES=0.08), functional capacity (p=0.003; ES=0.79), and aerobic power (p=0.007; ES=0.75) between pre- and post-intervention. In terms of QL, PF improved (p=0.009, ES=0.71) while FWB remained unchanged (p=0.32). Between post-intervention and follow-up, there were no significant differences in PA, lower body strength, functional capacity, or aerobic power. PF and FWB QL domains remained unchanged (p=0.99) and declined (p=0.006; ES=0.74), respectively. No adverse events reported. Conclusion. A community based PA intervention is feasible for some LCS. Those able to participate experience sustained benefits. The dissemination and sustainability potentials of community- based interventions for survivors are high.
Keywords: physical activity exercise lung cancer