Understanding breast cancer patients' preference for two types of exercise training during chemotherapy in an unblinded randomized controlled trial
2008

Breast Cancer Patients' Exercise Preferences During Chemotherapy

Sample size: 242 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Courneya Kerry S, Reid Robert D, Friedenreich Christine M, Gelmon Karen, Proulx Caroline, Vallance Jeffrey K, McKenzie Donald C, Segal Roanne J

Primary Institution: University of Alberta

Hypothesis

What factors are associated with breast cancer patients' preference for resistance versus aerobic exercise training during chemotherapy?

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients' preference for resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise during chemotherapy is largely influenced by their motivation and beliefs about the benefits and enjoyment of each type of exercise.

Supporting Evidence

  • 40.9% of participants preferred resistance exercise training (RET).
  • 36.4% preferred aerobic exercise training (AET).
  • Participants with past exercise experience were more likely to prefer RET.
  • Smoking status and aerobic fitness also influenced exercise preferences.

Takeaway

Breast cancer patients often have a favorite type of exercise during chemotherapy, and this choice is mostly about how much they think they'll enjoy it and how helpful they believe it will be.

Methodology

Breast cancer patients completed a questionnaire assessing their exercise preferences and were then randomized to different exercise training groups.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to unblinded trial design and the lack of a usual care preference option.

Limitations

The study did not measure the strength of patient preference or changes in preference over time, and it lacked a preference option for usual care.

Participant Demographics

Participants were women aged 25-78 years, with a mean age of 49 years; 21% were obese, and 37% were postmenopausal.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5868-5-52

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