Recruitment and retention in a self-directed “walking” intervention: Feasibility study in women with metastatic breast cancer during active treatment.

Abstract

e13084 Background: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical function are greatly impacted by the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study investigates the ability of women with MBC to engage in moderate walking during active treatment, with exercise monitored through a FitbitTM activity tracker. Methods: This is a single-site feasibility study of a home-based, self-directed physical activity intervention for women with MBC who could have had up to three lines of treatment. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: Sixty patients were consented, with mean age 55 (SD 11.1), 21% non-white, and 56% ECOG = 0. 36% were in their 3rd or 4th line of chemotherapy treatment. 65% had metastases to the bone, 46% to the lung, and 33% to the liver; mean number of metastasis sites was 2 (range 1 to 4). N = 52 completed all baseline measurements; N = 40 remained in the study at 3 months, and N = 29 at 6 months. Of the N = 31 (52%) lost to attrition, N = 6 were due to death, N = 5 due to deterioration, and N = 20 due to patient withdrawal from the study. Mean walking steps per day of at least 4000 was achieved in months 1, 2 and 3 by 41%, 50%, and 41% of participants. In months 4, 5 and 6, these percentages were 45%, 51% and 39%. On a scale from 1 = very confident to 10 = not at all confident about “continuing to walk or be physically active after completing the study”, confidence scores were 2.8 (SD 2.8) at 3 months and 2.9 (2.9) at 6 months. Conclusions: Forty-nine percent of women with MBC who signed up for a home-based walking program during active treatment were able to complete the 24-week intervention, with high proportions of these women walking more than 4000 steps per day. Moderate walking is feasible for women with MBC on active treatment.