Effects of a 6-month moderate-intensity exercise program on metabolic parameters and bone mineral density in men on androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

237 Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is commonly used to treat prostate cancer (PC) but is associated with significant side effects including metabolic abnormalities and bone loss. Although multiple trials have demonstrated that exercise is associated with improvements in multiple side effects of ADT, its effects on metabolic and skeletal outcomes is unclear. We conducted a phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing three different exercise delivery models. The present analysis examined prespecified endpoints of change in metabolic parameters and bone mineral density. Methods: Men with stage TxNxMx PC starting or continuing ADT for at least 6 months were enrolled and randomized equally to personal training (n = 18), supervised group training (n = 14), or home-based training (n = 16). Participants in all intervention arms underwent moderate to vigorous physical activity with a target of 150 minutes per week for 6 months. Fasting blood work and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were done at baseline and 6 months (blood work) and 12 months (DXA). Paired t-tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze findings. Results: 48 participants (mean age 69.9 years) were enrolled. The primary analysis demonstrated no significant difference between arms on most quality of life and fitness outcomes so groups were combined for the present analysis. Exercise was not associated with statistically significant changes in hemoglobin, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides, or fasting blood glucose (p = 0.075 to 0.87). Similarly, exercise was not associated with changes in bone mineral density at lumbar spine, total hip, or femoral neck sites on DXA (p = 0.44 to 0.71). Mean weight change was +0.8 kg. There was no difference between exercise arms on any outcome. Conclusions: Although our study is limited by a small sample size, our results suggest that 6 months of moderate intensity exercise is not associated with improvements in either metabolic or skeletal outcomes in men on ADT. More intensive behavioural interventions and/or pharmacological interventions will be required to reverse the deleterious effects of ADT. Clinical trial information: NCT02046837.