Broderick, J.M., Guinan, E., Kennedy, M.J., Hollywood, D., Courneya, K.S., Culos-Reed, S.N., . . . Hussey, J. (2013). Feasibility and efficacy of a supervised exercise intervention in de-conditioned cancer survivors during the early survivorship phase: The PEACH trial. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice, 7, 551–562.
To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an eight-week, supervised exercise program in deconditioned cancer survivors within two to six months of chemotherapy completion
Twice-weekly, aerobically-based group sessions in a hospital setting for a duration of eight weeks plus a home exercise program.
Prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled trial
Feasibility: 81% eligible patients were recruited to the study. Conflicting data on drop-outs were presented. Exercise intervention was positively received as noted in exit interviews with subjects. Adherence to supervised and home-based exercise intervention was good (76% to 105%, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for any health-related fitness outcomes. Total FACIT and fatigue subscale scores were better in the exercise group at three months (mean difference = 6.2, 95%, CI 1.4–11.0).
Data support the benefit of exercise to address cancer-related fatigue in the early survivorship period. However, sample was “healthy” with few co-morbidities and, although deconditioned, did not include older adults (> 65 years of age), which raises questions about safety and which type and dose of exercise should be recommended to the large group of cancer survivors who continue to experience cancer-related fatigue.