Mitigating functional performance decrement in cancer patients undergoing treatment
9105 Background: It is well-documented that treatment side-effects cause physical and psychosocial de-conditioning in cancer patient. Decrease in functional performance (FP), as measured by activities of daily living (ADL), is a major contributor to a decline in patient quality of life (QOL). Relatively little information is available on the effects of a specific exercise regimen targeting muscle groups/energy systems involved in FP. Methods: 30 male and female cancer patients receiving treatment were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EX) or control (C) groups. EX participated in two exercise sessions per week for 17 weeks. Sessions included a combination of aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance training. C did not participate in any structured exercise. Data were collected post-diagnosis (1), post- surgery (2), at 9 weeks post-diagnosis (3), and at 17 weeks post-diagnosis (4). Measurements included resting heart rate (RHR), fatigue, physical activity level (PA), QOL, and the FP tasks of: treadmill walking (TRED), stair climb/descent (STAIR), lifting/carrying (CARRY), sit to stand (STAND), and balance (REACH). Results: Factor analysis yielded four variables: FP1 = [(0.5 × TRED) - (0.5 × RHR)]; FP2 = [(STAIR) + (CARRY) + (STAND)]/3]; FP3 = [(0.333 × QOL) + (0.333 × PA) - (0.333 × FT)]; FP4 = REACH. Repeated-measures ANOVA with within-subjects contrasts detected significant differences between groups. No significant differences existed at 1 or from 1 to 2. Significant differences were found on all variables from 1 to 4, 1 to 3 and 3 to 4 (p < 0.001) (significant improvement for experimental group vs. significant decline for control group). Mean changes for the experimental vs. control groups from 1 to 4 are as follows: FP1 (+65.5 vs. -29.5); FP2 (-5.3 vs. +3.6); FP3 (+1.8 vs. -3.4); FP4 (+1.7 vs. -0.81). Conclusions: Specifically-designed exercise interventions promote positive adaptations that elicit significant improvement in ADL, QOL, and decrease fatigue. Prescriptive exercise is a viable therapy during treatment for mitigating side effects and avoiding de-conditioning. No significant financial relationships to disclose.