The Feasibility of Hospital-based Exercise Program on the Level of Physical Activity and Body Composition in Cancer Survivor: An Exploratory Feasibility Study

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although physical activity may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and risk of mortality in cancer patients, majority of cancer survivors are still remained physically inactive. Since most of cancer patients visit their oncologists on a regular basis, it would be ideal to provide exercise counselling program along with their hospital visit. However, the feasibility of hospital based exercise counselling program has not been tested. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the feasibility of hospital-based exercise counselling program on the level of physical activity and body composition in cancer survivors.METHODS: Among 118 cancer survivors underwent exercise counselling program at the cancer prevention center of university affiliated hospital, 47 cancer survivors (mean age, 51.8 years) revisited after an 8-week. At baseline and after 8 weeks, the level of physical activity and body composition were measured.RESULTS: Compared to their baseline value, we observed significant increase in walking (baseline vs. 8 weeks: 170.7±197.8 vs. 362.2±343.4 minutes/week, <i>p</i><.05) and frequency of resistance exercise (baseline vs. 8 weeks: 0.21±1.2 vs. 2.5±2.5 day/week, <i>p</i><.05). Percent body fat was decreased (baseline vs. 8 weeks: 30.3±9.6 vs. 29.7±9.5%, <i>p</i>=.025) and skeletal muscle mass was increased at the 8th week follow up visit compared to their baseline value (baseline vs. 8 weeks: 22.9±3.7 vs. 23.2±3.8 kg, <i>p</i>=.019).CONCLUSIONS: The hospital-based exercise program was feasible intervention to increase the level of physical activity and improve body composition in cancer survivors. Considering that the current study is not a randomized controlled trial and also small portion of cancer survivors returned to the follow up test, the efficacy of this exercise counselling program should be tested with proper study design.