Effectiveness of exercise for people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers — ASN Events
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Effectiveness of exercise for people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers (#47)

Prue Cormie 1 , Stephanie Lamb 2 , Lani Valentine 2 , Sandy McKiernan 2 , Nigel Spry 1 3 , David Joseph 1 3 , Dennis Taaffe 1 4 , Daniel Galvao 1 , Robert Newton 1 5
  1. Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
  2. Cancer Council Western Australia, Shenton Park, WA, Australia
  3. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  4. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
  5. University of Queensland , Brisbane, QLD, Australia

There is a paucity of research evaluating the feasibility and potential impact of exercise in patients diagnosed with rare and less common cancers. Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program administered in a community-based setting among patients with rare and less common cancers. Methods: 127 patients participated (67% female; age 59±14 years; BMI 25±5 kg.m-2; 2.4±3.3 years since diagnosis). Participants had been diagnosed with one of ~25 different types of rare and less common cancers, predominately ovarian (15%), leukaemia (13%) and brain (10%). Between 2011-2014 participants self-enrolled in a 3-month community-based exercise program involving aerobic and resistance exercise supervised by accredited exercise physiologists across 13 fitness centres in metropolitan and regional WA. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention with questionnaires also administered at 6 months follow-up. Results: 75 participants (59%) completed the exercise program attending 18±4 out of a possible 24 sessions (75% attendance). Participants who withdrew, predominately due to being too unwell to continue (29%) and undergoing additional treatment (12%), completed 7±6 exercise sessions. No serious adverse events occurred during the exercise sessions. Significant (p≤0.05) improvements were observed baseline to post-intervention in physical function (400m walk 8% [-22s, 95%CI:-15 to -30s]; repeated chair rise 18% [-2.5s, 95%CI:-1.7 to -3.3]; strength 20% [15kg, 95%CI:9–21kg]; dynamic balance 18% [-3.9s, 95%CI:-1.9 to -5.8s]), various domains of quality of life (SF-36 4-13% [2.0–5.6 NBS, 95%CI:0.1–7.6]) and estimated monthly medical expenditure (SF-6D utility index 13% [$57, 95%CI:$15–98]). There was a trend towards improved fatigue (FACIT-F; p=0.1) and no difference in psychological distress (BSI-18). 47 participants (37%) completed the 6-month follow-up questionnaires. Significant improvements remained in quality of life (SF-36 6-11% [2.7–4.3 NBS, 95%CI:0.1–7.2]). Conclusions: A community-based exercise program resulted in significant and sustained improvements in the wellbeing of patients with rare and less common cancers.

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