Abstract
PurposeTo assess the impact of the Personal Optimism With Exercise Recovery (POWER) program on cancer treatment–related side effects among rural cancer survivors.MethodsIn this retrospective study of data collected between 2016 and 2019, we assessed change in cardiorespiratory fitness, whole-body muscular endurance, physical function and strength, anthropometrics, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL), after participation in POWER. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic and clinical variables. Univariate analysis of variance was carried out with age and BMI at initial assessment as covariates.ResultsA total of 239 survivors, 78% rural residents, completed a follow-up assessment. Among rural cancer survivors, the most prevalent cancer sites were breast (42.5%), prostate (12.4%), and lymphoma (5.9%). The majority of survivors were female (70%), non-Hispanic (94.6%), and white (93.5%), with average age and BMI of 62.1 ± 13.2 years and 28.4 ± 6.7 kg/m2, respectively. Rural cancer survivors with cancer stages I–III exhibited significant improvements in fitness (+ 3.07 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 1.93, 4.21; + 0.88 METS, 95% CI 0.55, 1.20), physical function (30-s chair stand: + 2.2 repetitions, 95% CI 1.3, 3.1), muscular endurance (10-repetition maximum: chest press + 4.1 kg, 95% CI 2.0, 6.3; lateral pulldown + 6.6 kg, 95% CI 4.4, 8.9), self-reported fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue score: + 4.9, 95% CI 1.6, 8.1), and QoL (FACT-G7 score + 2.1, 95% CI, 0.9, 3.4). Among stage IV rural and urban cancer survivors, significant improvements were observed in muscular endurance and physical function.ConclusionParticipation in POWER was associated with attenuation of cancer treatment–related side effects and may serve as a model exercise oncology program for rural cancer survivors.
Highlights
20% of cancer survivors in the USA reside in rural areas [1]
We aimed to assess the impact of our exercise oncology program, Personal Optimism With Exercise Recovery (POWER), on physical cancer treatment–related side effects and health-related quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors who electively participated in our program and completed a follow-up assessment to evaluate progress
We found that participation in POWER was associated with favorable changes in side effects and QoL
Summary
20% of cancer survivors in the USA reside in rural areas [1]. Mortality rates of cancer survivors in rural areas are 9.6% greater compared with survivors in urban areas [1]. There is substantial evidence to support exercise across the cancer care continuum (e.g., before, during, and after cancer treatment) as an effective strategy to attenuate treatmentrelated side effects and improve health-related quality of life (QoL) [2,3,4,5]. Examples of side effects include declines in cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function, strength, and muscular endurance. Declines in cardiorespiratory fitness are linked with increased mortality among cancer survivors [6,7,8]. Nationwide, evidence consistently demonstrates lower engagement in leisure time physical activity, or structured exercise, among cancer survivors in rural areas compared with
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
