Abstract 197P
Background
In the randomized controlled Physical Activity and Memory (PAM) study, we found beneficial effects immediately after a 6-month supervised exercise program on self-reported cognitive complaints, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) in chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients with cognitive complaints and tested cognitive problems. The present study assessed whether these effects sustained till one year after study completion.
Methods
Chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients, with both self-reported cognitive problems and lower than expected performance on neuropsychological tests, were randomized to an exercise (n=91) or control group (n=90). The 6-month exercise intervention consisted of supervised aerobic and strength training (2 hrs/week) and Nordic/power walking (2 hrs/week). Control participants were offered a 3-month exercise program after study completion and 40% accepted this offer. Of the 168 patients who completed the PAM study, 127 (exercise n=64, control n=63) agreed to participate in the 1-year follow-up measurement of self-reported cognitive function (MDASI-MM), fatigue (MFI-20) and QoL (EORTC-QLQ C-30).
Results
Intention-to-treat mixed linear effects model analyses showed that the beneficial exercise effects were maintained one year after study completion: breast cancer patients in the intervention group still reported statistically significant better self-reported cognition and lower fatigue levels on four of the five MFI-20 domains (except “reduced motivation”), Table. Effects on QoL diminished during follow-up and did not reach significance. Table: 197P
| Between group differences over time (95% CI) | Effect Size | |
| Self-reported cognitive functioning (MDASI-MM) | ||
| Severity score | -0.57 (-1.08;-0.06)* | 0.31 |
| Fatigue (MFI-20) | ||
| General fatigue | -1.43 (-2.39;-0.46)* | 0.36 |
| Physical fatigue | -1.73 (-2.72;-0.74)* | 0.40 |
| Metal fatigue | -1.01 (-2.02;-0.18)* | 0.32 |
| Reduced motivation | -0.39 (-1.23;0.45) | 0.10 |
| Reduced activity | -0.97 (-1.92;-0.03)* | 0.23 |
| QoL (EORTC-QLQ C-30) | ||
| Summary Score | 1.77 (-0.89;4.43) | 0.15 |
*Statistically significant difference p<0.05
Conclusions
This study shows sustainable effects of a 6-month exercise program on self-reported cognitive functioning and fatigue in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients, one year after study completion.
Clinical trial identification
Netherlands Trial Registry: Trial NL5924 (NTR6104). Registered 24 October 2016.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Dutch Cancer Society.
Disclosure
A.M. May: Financial Interests, Institutional, Advisory Board: Compass. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.