Targeting exercise interventions to patients with cancer in need: An individual patient data meta-analysis

Laurien M Buffart, Maike G Sweegers, Anne M May, Mai J Chinapaw, Jonna K van Vulpen, Robert U Newton, Daniel A Galvao, Neil K Aaronson, Martijn M Stuiver, Paul B Jacobsen, Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw, Karen Steindorf, Melinda L Irwin, Sandi Hayes, Kathleen A Griffith, Alejandro Lucia, Fernando Herrero-Roman, Ilse Mesters, Ellen van Weert, Hans KnoopMartine M Goedendorp, Nanette Mutrie, Amanda J Daley, Alex McConnachie, Martin Bohus, Lene Thorsen, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Camille E Short, Erica L James, Ronald C Plotnikoff, Gill Arbane, Martina E Schmidt, Karin Potthoff, Marc van Beurden, Hester S Oldenburg, Gabe S. Sonke, Wim H van Harten, Rachel Garrod, Kathryn H Schmitz, Kerri M Winters-Stone, Frans Nollet, Jennifer Wenzel , Joachim Wiskemann, Johannes Brug, Kerry S Courneya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Background: Exercise effects in cancer patients often appear modest, possibly because interventions rarely target patients most in need. This study investigated the moderator effects of baseline values on the exercise outcomes of fatigue, aerobic fitness, muscle strength, quality of life (QoL), and self-reported physical function (PF) in cancer patients during and posttreatment.

Methods: Individual patient data from 34 randomized exercise trials (n ¼4519) were pooled. Linear mixed-effect models were used to study moderator effects of baseline values on exercise intervention outcomes and to determine whether these moderator effects differed by intervention timing (during vs post-treatment). All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results: Moderator effects of baseline fatigue and PF were consistent across intervention timing, with greater effects inpatients with worse fatigue (Pinteraction ¼ .05) and worse PF (Pinteraction ¼ .003). Moderator effects of baseline aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and QoL differed by intervention timing. During treatment, effects on aerobic fitness were greater for patients with better baseline aerobic fitness (Pinteraction ¼ .002). Post-treatment, effects on upper (Pinteraction < .001) and lower (Pinteraction ¼ .01) body muscle strength and QoL (Pinteraction < .001) were greater in patients with worse baseline values.

Conclusion: Although exercise should be encouraged for most cancer patients during and post-treatments, targeting specific target patients with high fatigue and low PF. During treatment, patients experience benefit for muscle strength and QoL regardless of baseline values; however, only patients with low baseline values benefit post-treatment. For aerobic fitness, patients with low baseline values do not appear to benefit from exercise during treatment.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberdjy161
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI)
Volume110
Issue number11
Early online date9 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 9 Oct 2018

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • cancer
  • exercise
  • quality of life
  • fatigue
  • baseline value
  • muscle strength
  • physical function

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