Abstract
Simple SummaryPrevious research supports the participation in supervised exercise among individuals with metastatic prostate cancer to help lessen the physical and psychological disease burden. However, many individuals experience considerable barriers to attending face-to-face exercise services. To overcome some of these limitations, digital interventions that can be delivered remotely have been proposed. Our pilot study investigated the acceptability, safety and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week computer-tailored web-based exercise intervention. We demonstrated that a web-based exercise program with telehealth support was acceptable and could be implemented safely. Participants in the intervention group increased their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to the control group. This study provides insight into the prospect of web-based exercise prescription for individuals with metastatic prostate cancer as an alternative for individuals who cannot access supervised exercise interventions.Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. However, many individuals encounter barriers that limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise. Technology-enabled interventions offer a distance-based alternative. This pilot study aimed to explore the acceptability, safety and preliminary efficacy of a web-based exercise intervention (ExerciseGuide) in individuals with metastatic prostate cancer. Forty participants (70.2 ± 8.5 years) with metastatic prostate cancer were randomised into the 8-week intervention (N = 20) or a wait-list control (N = 20). The intervention arm had access to a computer-tailored website, personalised exercise prescription and remote supervision. ExerciseGuide was deemed acceptable with a score ≥20 on the client satisfaction questionnaire; however, the usability score was just below the pre-specified score of ≥68 on the software usability scale. There were no serious adverse events reported. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels between baseline and follow-ups were significantly higher (10.0 min per day; 95% CI = (1.3–18.6); p = 0.01) in the intervention group compared to wait-list control. There were also greater improvements in step count (1332; 95% CI = (159–2505); p = 0.02) and identified motivation (0.4, 95% CI = (0.0, 0.7); p = 0.04). Our findings provide preliminary evidence that ExerciseGuide is acceptable, safe and efficacious among individuals with metastatic prostate cancer.
Highlights
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in Australia, with one in six individuals diagnosed by the age of 85 [1]
A total of 141 individuals screened themselves for eligibility on the ExerciseGuide website or were directly contacted and were screened by a researcher (HELE) over the 12-month period
One participant withdrew before finishing the baseline testing, and two participants withdrew during the intervention, as Cancers 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Summary
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in Australia, with one in six individuals diagnosed by the age of 85 [1]. Individuals with metastatic prostate cancer face substantial physical and psychological deterioration due to toxicities relating to life-prolonging therapies such as treatment with abiraterone, enzalutamide, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, radium-223 and sipuleucel-T [2]. Individuals deal with symptoms from the disease, such as pain and disability relating to metastasis, which are typically found in bone, liver and thorax [3]. These negative changes create a vicious cycle of physical inactivity, which accelerates their physical decline [4].
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