The effect of a home-based walking exercise program among men with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: A feasibility trial.

Abstract

e15152 Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer. However, there are a number of side effects of ADT that negatively impact the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in these men. We therefore hypothesize that a simple and accessible home-based exercise program can promote the HRQL of men with prostate cancer receiving ADT. The primary goal of the study is to examine the feasibility of such study. Methods: A 12-month prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the exercise group with the control group. Men with prostate cancer who would start ADT were recruited and randomly assigned to: (1) Exercise group would receive instructions in setting up an individualized home-based walking exercise program, or (2) control group would have standard medical advice from the attending physician. Each participant was provided with a pedometer for tracking daily activity and he would record time spent in physical activity. A strurctured phone survey was conducted every 2 weeks during the progression phase until they achieved the maximal level of prescribed exercise regimen. The outcome measures used to assess health-related quality of life, physical and cognitive functions at baseline and every 3 months included SF-36, FACT- P, and FACT-Fatigue scale, SPPB, and 6-Minute Walk Test, and Prospective Retrospective Memory Questionnaire. A MANOVA was conducted to determine the differences between the groups. Results: Six patients were recruited in the feasibility study (exercise group= 4 and control group =2). We report three-month follow-up data. Over 3-month period, there were no safety issues reported in both groups. The adherence to the structured walking exercise session was 100 %. The target daily step count adherence was 89%. Though our preliminary data at 3 months have not yet reached significant differences between the two groups except for prospective retrospective memory (p= 0.044), there was a trend favoring the exercise group. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that home-based walking exercise program is feasible and may potentially positive effects on health-related quality of life. No significant financial relationships to disclose.