Few studies have evaluated an individualized home-based exercise prescription during and after cancer treatment. Dodd and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of a home-based exercise training intervention, the Pro-self Fatigue Control Program on the management of cancer-related fatigue. Participants (N = 119) were randomized into one of three groups: group 1 received the exercise prescription throughout the study; group 2 received their exercise prescription after completing cancer treatment; and group 3 received usual care. Patients completed the Piper Fatigue Scale, General Sleep Disturbance Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and Worst Pain Intensity Scale. All groups reported mild fatigue levels, sleep disturbance, and mild pain, but not depression. Using multilevel regression analysis, significant linear and quadratic trends were found for change in fatigue and pain (i.e., scores increased, then decreased over time). No group differences were found in the changing scores over time. A significant quadratic effect for the trajectory of sleep disturbance was found, but no group differences were detected over time. No significant time or group effects were found for depression.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The home-based exercise intervention had no effect on fatigue or related symptoms associated with cancer treatment. The optimal timing of exercise remains to be determined.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE CONSUMER: The authors pointed out that clinicians need to be aware that some physical activity is better than none, and there is no harm in exercise as tolerated during cancer treatment. Further analysis is needed to examine the adherence to exercise. More frequent assessments of fatigue sleep disturbance, depression, and pain may capture the effect of exercise. A better suggestion would be to incorporate exercise within a self-management program for cancer patients. The accrued value of performance of self-management skills with exercise would optimize that patients could play in the management of cancer.

MJ Dodd et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Home-Based Exercise for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women During and After Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy. Cancer Nursing, May 12, 2010.