scholarly journals Leveraging Fitness Tracker and Personalized Exercise Prescription to Promote Breast Cancer Survivors’ Health Outcomes: A Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
Nan Zeng ◽  
Ning Liao ◽  
Chunyuan Han ◽  
Wenxi Liu ◽  
Zan Gao

Purpose: This feasibility study investigated whether a year-long combined fitness wristband-based and personalized exercise prescription intervention improves Chinese breast cancer survivors’ (BCSs) health outcomes. Methods: Ninety-five BCSs (Xage = 44.81 ± 7.94; XBMI = 22.18 ± 3.48) were recruited from Southern region of China and were delivered the exercise intervention across 12 months, using a single group pretest–posttest design. Participants’ lipid profile (e.g., total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides), blood glucose, breast cancer biomarkers (e.g., carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3), and functional fitness (e.g., strength in arms and legs, endurance, balance, agility, and flexibility) were assessed at baseline and 12-month post-intervention. Results: Thirty-three BCSs successfully completed the intervention. A significant change in blood glucose (mean difference (MD): −0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.41–−0.03, t = −2.25, p = 0.028) was observed, with participants demonstrating lower levels of blood glucose at the 12-month post-intervention versus the baseline assessment. Notable changes in functional fitness were also discerned, including agility and balance (MD: −0.47, 95% CI: −0.68–−0.26, t = −4.336, p < 0.001), aerobic endurance (MD: 89.25, 95% CI: 73.82–104.68, t = 11.336, p < 0.001), lower-body flexibility (left) (MD: 4.58, 95% CI: −4.4–13.56, t = 4.653, p < 0.001), and lower-body flexibility (right) (MD: 4.84, 95% CI: −4.65–14.33, t = 4.092, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The observations suggested that our behavioral change program might promote certain health outcomes in Chinese BCSs, yet we are unable to recommend such a program given existing limitations. Future randomized control trials with diverse samples are warranted to confirm our findings.

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar González-Hernández ◽  
Daniel Campos ◽  
Rebeca Diego-Pedro ◽  
Rocío Romero ◽  
Rosa Baños ◽  
...  

Abstract The growing body of research on compassion has demonstrated its benefits for healthcare and wellbeing. However, there is no clear agreement about a definition for compassion, given the novelty of the research on this construct and its religious roots. The aim of this study is to analyze the mental semantic construction of compassion in Spanish-speaking women breast cancer survivors, and the effects of the Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) on the modification of this definition, compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU), at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up. Participants were 56 women breast cancer survivors from a randomized clinical trial. The Osgood’s Semantic Differential categories (evaluative, potency, and activity scales) were adapted to assess the semantic construction of compassion. At baseline, participants had an undefined idea about compassion. The CBCT influenced subjects’ semantic construction of what it means to be compassionate. Findings could lead to future investigations and compassion programs that adapt to a specific culture or population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 504-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E Neil-Sztramko ◽  
Kerri M Winters-Stone ◽  
Kelcey A Bland ◽  
Kristin L Campbell

ObjectivesTo update our previous evaluation of the exercise interventions used in randomised controlled trials of breast cancer survivors in relation to (1) the application of the principles of exercise training in the exercise prescription; (2) the reporting of the components of the exercise prescription; and (3) the reporting of adherence of participants to the prescribed interventions.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesThe OVID Medline, Embase, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus electronic databases were searched from January 2010 to January 2017.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials of at least 4 weeks of aerobic and/or resistance exercise in women diagnosed with breast cancer, reporting on physical fitness or body composition outcomes.ResultsSpecificity was appropriately applied by 84%, progression by 29%, overload by 38% and initial values by 67% of newly identified studies. Reversibility was reported by 3% anddiminishing returns by 22% of newly identified studies. No studies reported all components of the exercise prescription in the methods, or adherence to the prescribed intervention in the results. Reporting of reversibility has increased from 2010, but no other improvements in reporting were noted from the previous review.Summary/ConclusionNo studies of exercise in women with breast cancer attended to all principles of exercise training, or reported all components of the exercise prescription in the methods, or adherence to the prescription in the results. Full reporting of the exercise prescribed and completed is essential for study replication in research and translating research findings into the community, and should be prioritised in future trials.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Razif Shahril ◽  
Syed Amirfaiz ◽  
Pei Lin Lua ◽  
Ali Nurnazahiah ◽  
Nor Syamimi Zakarai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To date, limited data are available on metabolic syndrome prevalence among breast cancer survivors in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and abnormal metabolic syndrome components among breast cancer survivors in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 95 breast cancer survivors (age 53.7±7.6 years) who have completed main cancer treatments for ≥6 months. Cancer survivors were recruited from two main government hospitals in Kelantan and Terengganu using a purposive sampling method. Results: According to the Harmonized criteria, the metabolic syndrome prevalence was 50.5%. Among those with metabolic syndrome, the most prevalent abnormal metabolic components were triglycerides (91.2%), fasting blood glucose (79.6%) and HDL-c level (78.4%). Except for total cholesterol and LDL-c, all other metabolic syndrome components were significantly different (p<0.05) between those with and without metabolic syndrome. Significant differences between metabolic syndrome and non-metabolic syndrome groups were found for weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage and cancer stages (p<0.05). However, no significant relationship was reported between sociodemographic, clinical parameters and metabolic syndrome among breast cancer survivors in this study. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent among breast cancer survivors. It is recommended for health care professionals to closely monitor and improve the triglycerides, blood glucose and HDL-c level of the breast cancer survivors under their care to control the detrimental effect of metabolic syndrome.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jennifer M. Hulett

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Background: Breast cancer survivors rely on religious and spiritual beliefs to cope with breast cancer survivorship. Previous data have shown that religious and spiritual beliefs were associated with health outcomes. However, a gap in the literature has been a lack of objective evidence linking psychosocial variables with physiological outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between and among religious and spiritual variables, subjective health outcomes, and neuroendocrine-mediated cortisol activity in breast cancer survivors. Design: This was an exploratory, feasibility, and cross-sectional studyMethod: Subjective measures were: religious/spiritual variables (Brief Multi-dimensional Measures of Religiousness/Spirituality), subjective health (SF-36v2 Health Outcomes), and personality traits (NEO-FFI-3 Personality Inventory). Objective measures included salivary cortisol, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and body mass index. The sample consisted of female breast cancer survivors (n=41). Results: Positive spiritual beliefs and forgiveness were related to better mental health. Positive congregational support was related to better physical and mental health. Positive spiritual experiences were associated with healthier cortisol activity patterns. Conscientiousness was associated with less healthy cortisol patterns. Subjective health perceptions were not associated with cortisol activity. Conclusion: Data supported a psychoneuroimmunological model of health in which spiritual variables were related to subjective health outcomes. Positive spiritual beliefs and conscientiousness were associated with neuroendocrine-mediated cortisol activity; although, more empirical support is required.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541987974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanderson Divino Nilo dos Santos ◽  
Amilton Vieira ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
João Felipe Mota ◽  
Paulo Gentil ◽  
...  

Background: Exercise has been shown to reduce adverse outcomes related to breast cancer. However, the rate of adherence to physical exercise is very low among breast cancer survivors (BCS). This study investigated the effects of high supervision ratio resistance training (RT), once a week for 8 weeks, on changes in body composition and muscular strength in BCS. Methods: Twenty-five female BCS undergoing hormone therapy were randomized into resistance training group (TG, n = 12) or control (CG, n = 13) group. The TG performed 8 weeks of supervised RT, with 1 trainer per volunteer, once a week. Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and muscle strength was evaluated by 10 repetition maximum (10 RM) for leg press (45°) and bench press exercises. A 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare within-group effects at pre- and post-intervention. An analysis of covariance test was used to compare post-intervention values, using pre-intervention measures as covariates. The effect size (ES) was calculated by Cohen’s d. Results: The TG improved muscle strength in 10 RM leg press (45°; Δ 33.75 ± 11.51 kg, P = .02; ES = 0.96) and bench press (Δ 4.08 ± 1.83 kg, P = .01; ES = 1.15). Adherence to training was more than 99%. Changes in body composition were not detected. There were no changes in the CG for any assessment. Conclusion: Once-weekly supervised RT could be an alternative to increase the adherence to exercise and improve muscular strength in BCS.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6111-6111
Author(s):  
S. K. Taylor ◽  
M. Ennis ◽  
N. S. Hood ◽  
M. Graham ◽  
K. I. Pritchard ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julienne E. Bower ◽  
Deborah Garet ◽  
Beth Sternlieb

Approximately one-third of breast cancer survivors experiences persistent fatigue for months or years after successful treatment completion. There is a lack of evidence-based treatments for cancer-related fatigue, particularly among cancer survivors. This single-arm pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a yoga intervention for fatigued breast cancer survivors based on the Iyengar tradition. Iyengar yoga prescribes specific poses for individuals with specific medical problems and conditions; this trial emphasized postures believed to be effective for reducing fatigue among breast cancer survivors, including inversions and backbends performed with the support of props. Twelve women were enrolled in the trial, and 11 completed the full 12-week course of treatment. There was a significant improvement in fatigue scores from pre- to post-intervention that was maintained at the 3-month post-intervention followup. Significant improvements were also observed in measures of physical function, depressed mood, and quality of life. These results support the acceptability of this intervention and suggest that it may have beneficial effects on persistent post-treatment fatigue. However, results require replication in a larger randomized controlled trial.


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