Randomized trial of a home-based exercise intervention for patients with advanced colorectal cancer: Effects on physical functioning and activity levels.

9633 Background: Considerable evidence demonstrates the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors, but few studies focus on those living with advanced disease. We conducted a randomized trial of a home-based exercise intervention for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), and investigated the effects on physical functioning (primary) and physical activity. Methods: 152 patients with advanced CRC were recruited through the Community Clinical Oncology Program, and were randomized to: 1) a 4 month home-based exercise intervention (EX), or 2) a relaxation control group (R). Both groups received telephone coaching/prompts, instructional materials, and brief coaching and letters from their provider. The EX arm received pedometers and resistance bands. Participants completed self-reports of physical functioning and activity, and performance tasks (2-min step test, 8-ft up and go, arm curl test, 30-sec sit–to-stand test) at baseline and end of study (EOS). Linear mixed model analysis tested intervention arm effects on EOS outcomes, adjusting for baseline and accounting for random effects of study site and physician. Results: Of the 152 randomized patients, 55 (72%) in EX and 57 (75%) in R completed the study. No serious adverse events were attributable to the interventions. At EOS, the EX arm reported more light and moderate activity at EOS than the R arm (p = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively), and performed better on the 30-sec sit-to-stand than R group participants (p = 0.05), with a trend toward better performance on the 8-ft up-and-go (p = .12). There were no significant group differences in SF-36 physical functioning, step test, or arm curl test. Conclusions: In one of the first trials to test home-based exercise for patients with advanced CRC, EX effectively increased activity levels and improved select aspects of physical functioning, suggesting it may be a safe and useful intervention in this population. Clinical trial information: NCT00985400.Estimated effects of EX on physical functioning. Outcome Effect estimate (SE) p 30-sec sit-to-stand 1.1 (0.6) 0.05 8-ft Up-and-Go -0.9 (0.6) 0.12 2-min step 4.5 (4.7) 0.33 Arm curl 0.5 (0.7) 0.53 SF-36 Physical Functioning 3.2 (4.6) 0.49