Factors associated with physical activity of breast cancer patients participating in exercise intervention

Si-Woon Park 1,2 & Ilkyun Lee3,4 & Joong IlKim5 & Hyuna Park 6,7 & Jong Doo Lee5 & Kyeong Eun Uhm 8,9 & Ji Hye Hwang9 & Eun Sook Lee10 & So-Youn Jung10 & Yong Hyun Park11 & Ji Youl Lee11. Supportive Care in Cancer 2018

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Factors associated with physical activity of breast cancer patients participating in exercise intervention

Si-Woon Park 1,2 & Ilkyun Lee3,4 & Joong IlKim5 & Hyuna Park 6,7 & Jong Doo Lee5 & Kyeong Eun Uhm 8,9 & Ji Hye Hwang9 & Eun Sook Lee10 & So-Youn Jung10 & Yong Hyun Park11 & Ji Youl Lee11. Supportive Care in Cancer 2018

Purpose Physical activity has been known to improve survival and quality of life of patients with breast cancer. To find factors associated with physical activity, we analyzed the dataset of the multicenter controlled trial of exercise intervention.

Methods Three hundred fifty-six participants were assigned to two groups: BSmart After-Care^ (smartphone application and pedometer were provided) or exercise education only. Physical activity was measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF)at baseline and after 12 weeks. The association between physical activity and other clinical characteristics was analyzed.

Results At baseline, physical activity amount was 2315.5±3513.2 MET min/week: 33.0% inactive, 49.6% minimally active, and 17.4% health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) active. Factors associated with HEPA include cancer stage and grip strength. A significantly lower proportion was HEPA active among those with advanced stage than among those with stage 0. After intervention, physical activity was increased to 3466.2±4712.5 METmin/week: 15.3% inactive,50.4% minimally active, and 34.2% HEPA active. Physical activity was increased in 63.4% of the participants. Factors associated with physical activity increase include cancer stage, diarrhea, and type of exercise intervention. Participants with advanced stage have a 3.3 times higher chance of increasing physical activity. Participants who received BSmart After-Care^ have a 64% higher chance of increasing physical activity.

Conclusion Before the intervention, participants with advanced stage are less likely to be HEPA active. Exercise intervention was more beneficial for those with advanced stage or physical symptoms. B Smart After-Care was more effective than education only in increasing physical activity.

Main findings

  • N = 339
  • All participants in both groups were educated with the same exercise rehabilitation program, which consisted of aerobic and resistance exercise. The amount of weekly aerobic exercise and intensity of resistance exercise were prescribed individually based on the results of the baseline evaluation. For the participants in the BSmart After-Care^ group, a newly developed smartphone application (Smart After-Care, BIT Computer Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) and an InBody Band pedometer (InBody Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) were provided in addition to exercise education.
  • After 12 weeks of exercise intervention physical activity by 63.4%.
  • Participants with advanced stage (3 or higher) responded better to the exercise intervention. After the intervention, they were 3.3 times more likely to increase their physical activity than those with stage 0. This suggests that more attention should be paid to those who are weak, less active, and with advanced disease.