A pilot exercise program in breast cancer survivors: Group vs individual training outcomes.

Abstract

12050 Background: Exercise interventions have consistently led to improved fitness in breast cancer patients. Best practices to ensure longevity of lifestyle changes have not been well explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term effectiveness of exercise intervention for patients. We sought to determine if group (Gr) or individual (Ind) exercise sessions would have differing effects in maintaining long term muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and range of motion (ROM). Methods: Thirty female patients underwent 3 months of individual exercise training, and were then randomized to continue with Ind (n=13) or Gr sessions (n=17) for another 3 months. Assessments were performed at baseline, after 3 months, and 1 year from baseline. Results: Ind showed significant strength improvements from baseline to 3 months, and 1 year. Gr did not show significant strength improvements at either time point. Cardiorespiratory endurance (VO2peak) improved in Ind from baseline to 3 months, and 1 year. Gr showed significant endurance improvement from baseline to 1 year only. Ind shoulder (ROM) improved from baseline to 3 months and 1 year. No significant improvement in ROM was found in Gr at either time point. Conclusions: In our study, we found six months of exercise intervention improved long-term strength, endurance, and ROM significantly in Ind session, and non significantly in Gr. A post-analysis chart review revealed increased exercise limitations in the Gr due to injury and/or non-cancer related medical conditions, which may explain some of the differences in outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT04013568 . Endurance, strength, and range of motion measures by exercise session type at baseline (BL), 3 months (3M), and 1 year (1Y). Baseline 3 Month 1 Year Gr Ind P value Gr Ind P value Ind Gr P value Gr Ind P value Ind N = 17 1 N = 13 1 N = 17 1 N = 13 1 N = 17 1 N = 13 1 Left Lateral Raise (degree) 164.6 ± 9.0 172.1 ± 6.9 0.95 171.8 ± 7.6 0.03 173.1 ± 10.1 0.46 171.9 ± 7.9 0.02 175.6 ± 8.8 Right Lateral Raise (degree) 163.1 ± 12.3 169.5 ± 16.2 0.87 169.8 ± 6.9 0.11 172.0 ± 8.7 0.65 172.1 ± 9.2 0.04 173.9 ± 9.1 Seated Cable Row (kg) 26.5 ± 3.9 27.4 ± 4.2 0.10 31.4 ± 4.1 <0.01 30.7 ± 4.2 0.16 33.1 ± 6.9 <0.01 30.5 ± 4.7 Leg Extension (kg) 36.4 ± 12.0 35.0 ± 10.6 0.25 48.7 ± 12.8 0.01 42.8 ± 14.7 0.13 48.9 ± 12.7 <0.01 44.2 ± 14.4 VO2 Peak (ml/kg/min) 27.9 ± 5.4 29.2 ± 6.1 0.06 32.0 ± 4.3 0.03 35.1 ± 7.2 0.05 33.7 ± 5.8 <0.01 34.2 ± 4.5 Gr=Group, Ind=Individual. Mean ± SD.