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1.
Clin Psychol Rev ; 80: 101882, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32640368

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of coping skills training (CST) on symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and investigated moderators of the effects. METHODS: Overall effects and intervention-related moderators were studied in meta-analyses of pooled aggregate data from 38 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Patient-related moderators were examined using linear mixed-effect models with interaction tests on pooled individual patient data (n = 1953) from 15 of the RCTs. RESULTS: CST had a statistically significant but small effect on depression (g = -0.31,95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.40;-0.22) and anxiety (g = -0.32,95%CI = -0.41;-0.24) symptoms. Effects on depression symptoms were significantly larger for interventions delivered face-to-face (p = .003), led by a psychologist (p = .02) and targeted to patients with psychological distress (p = .002). Significantly larger reductions in anxiety symptoms were found in younger patients (pinteraction < 0.025), with the largest reductions in patients <50 years (ß = -0.31,95%CI = -0.44;-0.18) and no significant effects in patients ≥70 years. Effects of CST on depression (ß = -0.16,95%CI = -0.25;-0.07) and anxiety (ß = -0.24,95%CI = -0.33;-0.14) symptoms were significant in patients who received chemotherapy but not in patients who did not (pinteraction < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CST significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and particularly when delivered face-to-face, provided by a psychologist, targeted to patients with psychological distress, and given to patients who were younger and received chemotherapy.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Anxiety/therapy , Depression/therapy , Neoplasms/psychology , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
2.
J Psychosom Res ; 124: 109746, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31443811

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on sleep disturbances and sleep quality in patients with mixed cancer diagnoses, and identify demographic, clinical, and intervention-related moderators of these effects. METHODS: Individual patient data (IPD) and aggregated meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Using data from the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care project, IPD of 2173 adults (mean age = 54.8) with cancer from 17 RCTs were analyzed. A complementary systematic search was conducted (until November 2018) to study the overall effects and test the representativeness of analyzed IPD. Effect sizes of exercise effects on self-reported sleep outcomes were calculated for all included RCTs. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the effects of exercise on post-intervention outcome values, adjusting for baseline values. Moderator effects were studied by testing interactions for demographic, clinical and intervention-related characteristics. RESULTS: For all 27 eligible RCTs from the updated search, exercise interventions significantly decreased sleep disturbances in adults with cancer (g = -0.09, 95% CI [-0.16; -0.02]). No significant effect was obtained for sleep quality. RCTs included in IPD analyses constituted a representative sample of the published literature. The intervention effects on sleep disturbances were not significantly moderated by any demographic, clinical, or intervention-related factor, nor by sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides some evidence that, compared to control conditions, exercise interventions may improve sleep disturbances, but not sleep quality, in cancer patients, although this effect is of a small magnitude. Among the investigated variables, none was found to significantly moderate the effect of exercise interventions on sleep disturbances.


Subject(s)
Exercise , Neoplasms/physiopathology , Sleep/physiology , Adult , Humans , Quality of Life , Sleep Wake Disorders
3.
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol ; 133: 46-57, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30661658

ABSTRACT

Low muscle mass in individuals with cancer has a profound impact on quality of life and independence and is associated with greater treatment toxicity and poorer prognosis. Exercise interventions are regularly being investigated as a means to ameliorate treatment-related adverse effects, and nutritional/supplementation strategies to augment adaptations to exercise are highly valuable. Creatine (Cr) is a naturally-occurring substance in the human body that plays a critical role in energy provision during muscle contraction. Given the beneficial effects of Cr supplementation on lean body mass, strength, and physical function in a variety of clinical populations, there is therapeutic potential in individuals with cancer at heightened risk for muscle loss. Here, we provide an overview of Cr physiology, summarize the evidence on the use of Cr supplementation in various aging/clinical populations, explore mechanisms of action, and provide perspectives on the potential therapeutic role of Cr in the exercise oncology setting.


Subject(s)
Body Composition/drug effects , Creatine/administration & dosage , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Neoplasms/diet therapy , Creatine/pharmacology , Dietary Supplements , Exercise/physiology , Humans , Muscle Strength/drug effects , Muscle Strength/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Muscular Atrophy/etiology , Muscular Atrophy/prevention & control , Neoplasms/complications , Neoplasms/physiopathology , Quality of Life
5.
Breast Cancer Res Treat ; 170(1): 1-13, 2018 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29470804

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effect of different types of exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in order to elucidate the role of exercise in this patient group. METHODS: A systematic data search was performed using PubMed (December 2016). The review is focused on the rehabilitative aspect of BCRL and undertaken according to the PRISMA statement with Levels of Evidence (LoE) assessed. RESULTS: 11 randomized controlled trials (9 with LoE 1a and 2 with LoE 1b) that included 458 women with breast cancer in aftercare were included. The different types of exercise consisted of aqua lymph training, swimming, resistance exercise, yoga, aerobic, and gravity-resistive exercise. Four of the studies measured a significant reduction in BCRL status based on arm volume and seven studies reported significant subjective improvements. No study showed adverse effects of exercise on BCRL. CONCLUSION: The evidence indicates that exercise can improve subjective and objective parameters in BCRL patients, with dynamic, moderate, and high-frequency exercise appearing to provide the most positive effects.


Subject(s)
Breast Cancer Lymphedema/therapy , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Exercise , Breast Cancer Lymphedema/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/complications , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Resistance Training , Survivors , Yoga
6.
Psychooncology ; 27(4): 1150-1161, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29361206

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions (PSI) on quality of life (QoL), emotional function (EF), and social function (SF) in patients with cancer, and to study moderator effects of demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention-related characteristics. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified via literature searches in 4 databases. We pooled IPD from 22 (n = 4217) of 61 eligible randomized controlled trials. Linear mixed-effect model analyses were used to study intervention effects on the post-intervention values of QoL, EF, and SF (z-scores), adjusting for baseline values, age, and cancer type. We studied moderator effects by testing interactions with the intervention for demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention-related characteristics, and conducted subsequent stratified analyses for significant moderator variables. RESULTS: PSI significantly improved QoL (ß = 0.14,95%CI = 0.06;0.21), EF (ß = 0.13,95%CI = 0.05;0.20), and SF (ß = 0.10,95%CI = 0.03;0.18). Significant differences in effects of different types of PSI were found, with largest effects of psychotherapy. The effects of coping skills training were moderated by age, treatment type, and targeted interventions. Effects of psychotherapy on EF may be moderated by cancer type, but these analyses were based on 2 randomized controlled trials with small sample sizes of some cancer types. CONCLUSIONS: PSI significantly improved QoL, EF, and SF, with small overall effects. However, the effects differed by several demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention-related characteristics. Our study highlights the beneficial effects of coping skills training in patients treated with chemotherapy, the importance of targeted interventions, and the need of developing interventions tailored to the specific needs of elderly patients.


Subject(s)
Emotional Adjustment , Neoplasms/psychology , Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Psychiatric Rehabilitation/psychology , Psychotherapy , Quality of Life/psychology , Social Adjustment , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Individuality , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Rehabilitation/methods , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
7.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28597947

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a pragmatic distance-based intervention designed to increase physical activity (PA) participation in lung cancer survivors. Fourteen lung cancer survivors were recruited via invitation from the State Cancer Registry to join a 12-week PA intervention of print materials paired with brief telephone follow-up. Outcome measures of feasibility, PA participation and quality of life (QoL) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up via telephone interview. Eligibility, recruitment and attrition rates were 16%, 58% and 29% respectively. No adverse events were reported; however, pain scores worsened following the intervention (median change -3.6, IQR -8.0, 0.0). Average intervention adherence was 91% with low median ratings of participation burden (i.e., all items 1/7) and high trial evaluation (i.e., all items 7/7). Post-intervention, median change in self-reported moderate and vigorous PA was 84 min (IQR -22, 188), and several domains of QoL improved. However, for both of these outcomes, improvements were not maintained at follow-up. Our findings suggest that this pragmatic distance-based intervention was safe, had good adherence rates, and indicate potential for improving short-term PA and QoL in lung cancer survivors. Additional strategies are needed to improve other indicators of feasibility, particularly recruitment, retention and long-term maintenance of improvements. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration: ACTRN12612000085875.


Subject(s)
Cancer Survivors , Exercise , Lung Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Patient Compliance , Quality of Life , Telephone , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Dyspnea , Fatigue , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Pain , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Patient Selection , Pilot Projects , Western Australia
8.
J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact ; 17(3): 114-139, 2017 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28860414

ABSTRACT

This review summarises current understanding of how bone is sculpted through adaptive processes, designed to meet the mechanical challenges it faces in everyday life and athletic pursuits, serving as an update for clinicians, researchers and physical therapists. Bone's ability to resist fracture under the large muscle and locomotory forces it experiences during movement and in falls or collisions is dependent on its established mechanical properties, determined by bone's complex and multidimensional material and structural organisation. At all levels, bone is highly adaptive to habitual loading, regulating its structure according to components of its loading regime and mechanical environment, inclusive of strain magnitude, rate, frequency, distribution and deformation mode. Indeed, the greatest forces habitually applied to bone arise from muscular contractions, and the past two decades have seen substantial advances in our understanding of how these forces shape bone throughout life. Herein, we also highlight the limitations of in vivo methods to assess and understand bone collagen, and bone mineral at the material or tissue level. The inability to easily measure or closely regulate applied strain in humans is identified, limiting the translation of animal studies to human populations, and our exploration of how components of mechanical loading regimes influence mechanoadaptation.


Subject(s)
Bone and Bones/physiology , Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Humans
9.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27111695

ABSTRACT

This study describes sources of support utilised by men with localised prostate cancer in the first year after diagnosis and examines characteristics associated with help-seeking for men with unmet needs. A cross-sectional survey of 331 patients from a population-based sample who were in the first year after diagnosis (M = 9.6, SD = 1.9) was conducted to assess sources of support, unmet supportive care needs, domain-specific quality of life and psychological distress. Overall, 82% of men reported unmet supportive care needs. The top five needs were sexuality (58%); prostate cancer-specific (57%); psychological (47%); physical and daily living (41%); and health system and information (31%). Professional support was most often sought from doctors (51%). Across most domains, men who were older (Ps ≤ 0.03), less well educated (Ps ≤ 0.04) and more depressed (Ps ≤ 0.05) were less likely to seek help for unmet needs. Greater sexual help-seeking was related to better sexual function (P = 0.03), higher education (P ≤ 0.03) and less depression (P = 0.05). Unmet supportive care needs are highly prevalent after localised prostate cancer diagnosis with older age, lower education and higher depression apparent barriers to help-seeking. Interventions that link across medicine, nursing and community based peer support may be an accessible approach to meeting these needs. Clinical Trial Registry: Trial Registration: ACTRN12611000392965.


Subject(s)
Health Services Needs and Demand , Help-Seeking Behavior , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Activities of Daily Living , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anxiety/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/psychology , Educational Status , Health Status , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peer Group , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/psychology , Quality of Life , Queensland , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological , Sexuality , Social Support , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27647712

ABSTRACT

Cancer patients with bone metastases have previously been excluded from participation in physical activity programmes due to concerns of skeletal fractures. Our aim was to provide initial information on the association between physical activity levels and physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Between 2012 and 2015, 55 prostate cancer patients (mean age 69.7 ± 8.3; BMI 28.6 ± 4.0) with bone metastases (58.2% >2 regions affected) undertook assessments for self-reported physical activity, physical and mental health outcomes (SF-36), objective physical performance measures and body composition by DXA. Sixteen men (29%) met the current aerobic exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, while 39 (71%) reported lower aerobic exercise levels. Men not meeting aerobic exercise guidelines had lower physical functioning (p = .004), role functioning (physical and emotional) (p < .05), general health scores (p = .014) as well all lower measures of physical performance (p < .05). Lower levels of aerobic exercise are associated with reduced physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. While previous research has focused primarily in those with non-metastatic disease, our initial results suggest that higher levels of aerobic exercise may preserve physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Clinical Trial Registry: Trial Registration: ACTRN12611001158954.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/physiopathology , Exercise , Mental Health , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Absorptiometry, Photon , Adipose Tissue , Aged , Body Composition , Bone Neoplasms/psychology , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Status , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/psychology , Role , Self Report , Walk Test
11.
Lymphology ; 48(2): 80-92, 2015 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26714372

ABSTRACT

The use of compression garments during exercise is recommended for women with breast cancer-related lymphedema, but the evidence behind this clinical recommendation is unclear. The aim of this randomized, cross-over trial was to compare the acute effects of wearing versus not wearing compression during a single bout of moderate-load resistance exercise on lymphedema status and its associated symptoms in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Twenty-five women with clinically diagnosed, stable unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema completed two resistance exercise sessions, one with compression and one without, in a randomized order separated by a minimum 6 day wash-out period. The resistance exercise session consisted of six upper-body exercises, with each exercise performed for three sets at a moderate-load (10-12 repetition maximum). Primary outcome was lymphedema, assessed using bioimpedance spectroscopy (L-Dex score). Secondary outcomes were lymphedema as assessed by arm circumferences (percent inter-limb difference and sum-of-circumferences), and symptom severity for pain, heaviness and tightness, measured using visual analogue scales. Measurements were taken pre-, immediately post- and 24 hours post-exercise. There was no difference in lymphedema status (i.e., L-Dex scores) pre- and post-exercise sessions or between the compression and non-compression condition [Mean (SD) for compression pre-, immediately post- and 24 hours post-exercise: 17.7 (21.5), 12.7 (16.2) and 14.1 (16.7), respectively; no compression: 15.3 (18.3), 15.3 (17.8), and 13.4 (16.1), respectively]. Circumference values and symptom severity were stable across time and treatment condition. An acute bout of moderate-load, upper-body resistance exercise performed in the absence of compression does not exacerbate lymphedema in women with BCRL.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Compression Bandages , Lymphedema/therapy , Resistance Training , Upper Extremity/physiopathology , Aged , Australia , Biomechanical Phenomena , Combined Modality Therapy , Cross-Over Studies , Dielectric Spectroscopy , Electric Impedance , Female , Humans , Lymphedema/diagnosis , Lymphedema/etiology , Lymphedema/physiopathology , Middle Aged , Pain Measurement , Recovery of Function , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Upper Extremity/pathology
13.
Osteoporos Int ; 25(11): 2663-8, 2014 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24993816

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: The bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ) accounts for activities that affect bone but has not been used in studies with older adults. Relationships exist between the BPAQ-derived physical activity and bone density in healthy middle-aged and older men but not men with prostate cancer. Disease-related treatments detrimental to bone should be considered when administering the BPAQ. INTRODUCTION: The bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ) was developed to account for bone-specific loading. In this retrospective study, we examined the relationship between BPAQ-derived physical activity and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged and older men with and without prostate cancer. METHODS: Two groups, 36 healthy men and 69 men with prostate cancer receiving androgen suppression therapy (AST), completed the BPAQ and had whole body, total hip, femoral (FN) and lumbar spine BMD assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Past (pBPAQ), current (cBPAQ) and total BPAQ (tBPAQ) scores for the healthy men were related to FN BMD (pBPAQ r = 0.36, p = 0.030; cBPAQ r s = 0.35, p = 0.034; tBPAQ r = 0.41, p = 0.014), and pBPAQ and tBPAQ were related to total hip (r s = 0.35, p = 0.035 and r s = 0.36, p = 0.029, respectively) and whole body BMD (r s = 0.44, p = 0.007 and r s = 0.45, p = 0.006, respectively). In men with prostate cancer, the BPAQ was not significantly associated with BMD. In stepwise regression analyses, body mass and tBPAQ predicted 30 % of the variance in total hip BMD (p = 0.003), cBPAQ predicted 14 % of the variance in FN BMD (p = 0.002), and body mass, age and tBPAQ predicted 47% of the variance in whole body BMD (p < 0.001) in healthy men. In men with prostate cancer, the BPAQ was not an independent predictor of BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Although BPAQ-derived estimates of physical activity are related to bone status in healthy middle-aged and older men, the adverse effect of AST on bone appears to obscure this relationship in men with prostate cancer.


Subject(s)
Bone Density/physiology , Motor Activity/physiology , Absorptiometry, Photon/methods , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aging/physiology , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Bone Density/drug effects , Femur Neck/physiology , Femur Neck/physiopathology , Hip Joint/physiology , Hip Joint/physiopathology , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/physiology , Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
Cancer Treat Rev ; 40(2): 327-40, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23871124

ABSTRACT

Physical activity during and after cancer treatment has beneficial effects on a number of physical and psychosocial outcomes. This paper aims to discuss the existing physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors and to describe future research directions to optimize prescriptions. Studies on physical activity during and after cancer treatment were searched in PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, and Dutch Trial registry. Physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors suggest that physical activity should be an integral and continuous part of care for all cancer survivors. However, the development of these guidelines has been limited by the research conducted. To be able to develop more specific guidelines, future studies should focus on identifying clinical, personal, physical, psychosocial, and intervention moderators explaining 'for whom' or 'under what circumstances' interventions work. Further, more insight into the working mechanisms of exercise interventions on health outcomes in cancer survivors is needed to improve the efficacy and efficiency of interventions. Finally, existing programs should embrace interests and preferences of patients to facilitate optimal uptake of interventions. In conclusion, current physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors are generic, and research is needed to develop more personalized physical activity guidelines.


Subject(s)
Exercise , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Motor Activity , Neoplasms , Quality of Life , Survivors , Activities of Daily Living , Evidence-Based Medicine , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Precision Medicine , Research/trends
15.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 16(4): 328-35, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23917308

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Due to concerns of fragility fracture, exercise is a perceived contraindication for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. These patients experience significant functional impairment and muscle atrophy, which may lead to an increased likelihood of skeletal complicaTIOns (i.e., pathological fracture, bone pain) and/or falls. Safe resistance exercise prescription may counteract this effect. The aim of this feasibility trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of resistance exercise by prostate cancer survivors with bone metastatic disease. METHODS: Twenty men with established bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer were randomly assigned to a 12-week resistance exercise program in which exercise prescription was based on the location of bone lesions (n=10) or usual care (n=10). Outcomes included safety and tolerance of the exercise program, physical function, physical activity level, body composition, fatigue, quality of life and psychological distress. Outcomes were compared between groups using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values. RESULTS: Participants had significant disease load with 65% of participants presenting with two or more regions affected by bone metastases and an average Gleason score of 8.2±0.9. Five participants (exercise=2; usual care=3) did not complete the intervention, three of which were due to advancing disease (exercise=2; usual care=1). No adverse events or skeletal complications occurred during the supervised exercise sessions. The exercise program was well tolerated as evidenced by high attendance (83%) and compliance rates (93%), and the ability of the participants to exercise at an intensity within the target range for cancer survivors (rating of perceived exertion =13.8±1.5). The change in physical function (muscle strength ∼11%; submaximal aerobic exercise capacity ∼5% and ambulation ∼12%), physical activity level (∼24%) and lean mass (∼3%) differed significantly between groups following the intervention, with favorable changes in the exercise group compared with the usual care group. No significant between-group differences were observed for fatigue, quality of life or psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: This initial evidence involving a small sample size suggests that appropriately designed and supervised resistance exercise may be safe and well tolerated by prostate cancer patients with bone metastatic disease and can lead to improvements in physical function, physical activity levels and lean mass. Future trials involving larger sample sizes are required to expand these preliminary findings.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Exercise Therapy , Exercise , Muscular Atrophy/etiology , Muscular Atrophy/rehabilitation , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Composition , Bone Neoplasms/complications , Exercise Therapy/adverse effects , Fatigue , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscular Atrophy/physiopathology , Pilot Projects , Prostatic Neoplasms/complications , Quality of Life , Risk Factors , Stress, Psychological , Treatment Outcome
16.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 16(2): 170-5, 2013 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23318529

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown exercise to be an effective method to mitigate many adverse treatment-related effects of androgen suppression therapy (AST) but the potential impact of exercise on sexual activity remains unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to report the effect of a 12-week exercise program on sexual activity in prostate cancer patients undergoing AST. METHODS: Fifty-seven prostate cancer patients undergoing AST were randomly assigned to an exercise program (resistance and aerobic modes; n=29) or usual care control (n=28). Sexual activity was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer prostate cancer-specific quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-PR25). RESULTS: QLQ-PR25 data were log transformed and analysis of covariance was used to compare sexual activity between groups following the intervention adjusted for baseline activity. No differences in sexual activity were observed between the exercise and control groups before the intervention. There was a significant (P=0.045) adjusted group difference in sexual activity following the 12-week intervention. Patients undergoing usual care decreased sexual activity while patients in the exercise program maintained their level of sexual activity. At baseline, 20.6 and 22.2% of participants in the exercise and control groups reported a major interest in sex (that is, high libido). Following the intervention, the exercise group had a significantly higher percentage of participants reporting a major interest in sex (exercise=17.2% vs control=0%; P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a short-term exercise program resulted in the maintenance of sexual activity in prostate cancer patients undergoing AST.


Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Sexual Behavior , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Kallikreins/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/blood , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/therapy , Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/blood , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Testosterone/blood , Treatment Outcome
17.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 16(1): 67-72, 2013 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22907511

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To examine changes to whole body and regional lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) over 33 months of intermittent androgen suppression therapy (IAST). METHODS: Phase II cohort study of 72 prostate cancer patients without metastatic bone disease. Patients received flutamide 250 mg tid and leuprolide 22.5 mg three monthly depot for the 9-month initial treatment phase (iTREAT), at which point patients ceased therapy providing PSA <4 ng ml(-1) with continued monitoring for further 2 years (POST). AST was recommenced when PSA exceeded pretreatment level or ≥ 20 ng ml(-1). Body composition was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline, completion of treatment phase, and 1 and 2 years post treatment phase (months 21 and 33). RESULTS: LM decreased by 1.3 kg and FM increased by 2.3 kg (P<0.001) following iTREAT. During the POST period, there were no further adverse effects on LM or FM, but also no recovery to pretreatment levels. Patients who failed to recover testosterone by month 33 experienced a significant increase in FM compared with those who recovered eugonadal levels of testosterone (10 nmol ml(-1); P = 0.019). Change in testosterone was moderately correlated to changes in % FM (r = -0.314, P<0.028) and LM (r = 0.300, P<0.036) during POST phase. Waist circumference progressively increased over time and by 2 years, POST had not recovered to baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of LM and gain in FM during the 9-month iTREAT was not reversed during 2-year POST, although further deterioration was not observed. Subgroup analysis identified those recovering testosterone showed some body composition improvements. These findings suggest potential benefits of IAST, where testosterone levels are able to recover, to reduce the ongoing adverse effects on body composition, such as the acceleration of sarcopenia and risks associated with metabolic disease.


Subject(s)
Androgen Antagonists/administration & dosage , Body Composition/drug effects , Flutamide/administration & dosage , Leuprolide/administration & dosage , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Absorptiometry, Photon , Adipose Tissue , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Time
18.
Eur J Neurol ; 20(9): 1325-9, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23216520

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite advances in the understanding of Huntington's disease (HD), treatment remains symptomatic. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, however, appears to impact disease progression. Here we show the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a 9-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in a small cohort of patients with early-to-middle-stage HD. METHODS: Twenty patients with HD were assigned to two groups, equally matched for cognitive and motor scores. One group received the intervention, whilst the other served as control. The Unified-Huntington's-Disease-Rating-Scale-Total-Motor-Score was the primary outcome measure. Neurocognitive/psychological tests, body composition, postural stability, strength and quality of life assessments were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: The intervention reduced motor and postural stability deterioration, with minor improvements in depression, cognition and quality of life. Significant gains were observed for fat-free mass and strength. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that a prolonged multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in early-to-middle-stage HD is feasible, well-tolerated and associated with therapeutic benefit. Further explorative, larger studies are warranted.


Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/methods , Huntington Disease/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Treatment Outcome
19.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 15(4): 329-38, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22733158

ABSTRACT

Androgen suppression treatment (AST) for men with prostate cancer is associated with a number of treatment-related side effects including an accelerated rate of bone loss. This loss of bone is greatest within the first year of AST and increases the risk for fracture. Pharmaceutical treatment in the form of bisphosphonates is currently used to counter the effects of hormone suppression on bone but is costly and associated with potential adverse effects. Recently, exercise has been shown to be an important adjuvant therapy to manage a range of treatment-related toxicities and enhance aspects of quality of life for men receiving AST. We propose that physical exercise may also have an important role in not only attenuating the bone loss associated with AST but in improving bone health and reducing fracture risk. In this review, the rationale underlying exercise as a countermeasure to AST-induced bone loss is provided.


Subject(s)
Androgen Antagonists , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/therapy , Exercise Therapy , Osteoporosis , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Androgen Antagonists/adverse effects , Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use , Androgens/metabolism , Androgens/physiology , Humans , Male , Osteoporosis/chemically induced , Osteoporosis/therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology
20.
Acta Neurol Scand ; 123(1): 13-9, 2011 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20199518

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The benefits of physical exercise for psychological aspects of quality of life (QoL) are well established in normally ageing adults, yet potential benefits for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have received limited attention. This study evaluated the benefits of exercise for cognitive functioning, mood and disease-specific QoL for people with PD. METHODS: Twenty-eight individuals with PD were allocated to an exercise intervention program (EIP, n = 15) or control group (n = 13). The EIP group undertook a programme of progressive anabolic and aerobic exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks. The control group maintained their usual lifestyle. RESULTS: Exercise was shown to have selective benefits for cognitive functioning by improving frontal lobe based executive function. No significant effects were demonstrated for mood or disease-specific QoL. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with previous research demonstrating selective benefits of exercise for executive function among normal ageing adults and PD.


Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/methods , Exercise , Parkinson Disease , Quality of Life , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Parkinson Disease/psychology , Parkinson Disease/rehabilitation , Severity of Illness Index , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome
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