Premium
Acute effects of aerobic exercise and relaxation training on fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A feasibility trial
Author(s) -
Cohen Jason,
Rogers Wendy A.,
Petruzzello Steven,
Trinh Linda,
Mullen Sean P.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5561
Subject(s) - aerobic exercise , mindfulness , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , medicine , psychological intervention , breast cancer , cancer related fatigue , relaxation (psychology) , cancer , clinical psychology , psychiatry
Objective This three‐armed randomized controlled feasibility trial tested the acceptability and acute effects of aerobic exercise and technology‐guided mindfulness training (relative to standalone interventions) on cancer‐related fatigue among breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods BCS recruited from Central Illinois completed pre‐ and post‐testing using established measures and were randomized to one of three groups (combined aerobic exercise with guided‐mindfulness relaxation, aerobic exercise only, and relaxation only), conducted in three 90 min sessions over the course of 7 days in a fitness room and research office on a university campus. Results We enrolled 40 BCS ( M age = 57.33 ± 8.75), M BMI = 27.38 ± 5.27, M fatigue = 4.56 ± 1.81 as measured by the Piper Fatigue Scale. More favorable post‐intervention evaluations were reported by the combined group, compared to aerobic exercise or relaxation only ( p < 0.05). Reductions in fatigue favoring the combined group ( p = 0.05) showed a modest effect size (Cohen's d = 0.91) compared to aerobic exercise only. Conclusions These findings provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility of combining evidence‐based techniques to address fatigue among BCS. The combined approach, incorporating mobile health technology, presents an efficacious and well‐received design. If replicated in longer trials, the approach could provide a promising opportunity to deliver broad‐reaching interventions for improved outcomes in BCS. Preregistered‐ClinicalTrials NCT03702712